\w^  o-      -^^^^ 


PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^ 

Presented    by^T^VcS^  \  C>\  <S  r^V    Vi\-V-V  o  X^  . 


BV  3785  ,H3  H4  1884 
Headley,  P.  C.  1819-1903. 
The  reaper  and  the  harvest 


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THE 


REAPER  AND  THE  HARVEST; 


SCENES  AND  INCIDENTS  IN  CONNECTION  WITH 

THE  WORK  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT  IN 

THE  LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF 

y 

REV.  EDWARD  PAYSON  HAMMOND,  M.A. 


EDITED    BY 

REV.  P.  C.  HEADLEY, 

AUTHOR  OP  "EVANGELISTS   IN  THE   CHURCH,"   "PUBLIC    MEN   OP  TO-DAY, 
ETC.,  ETC. 

WITH    AN    INTRODUCTION    BY 

REV.  A.  H.  BURLINGHAM.  D.D., 

DISTRICT   SBCKKTABT  AMERICAN  BAPTIST   MISSIONARY   UNION. 


"  He  that  soweth  and  he  that  reapeth  may  rejoice  together:'' 

—John  iv.  36. 


FUNK    &    WAGNALLS. 

NEW  YORK:  1884.  LONDON: 

10  AND  12  Dey  Street.  44  Fleet  Street. 

All  Rights  Reserved. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1884,  by 

FUNK  &  WAGNALLS, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington,  D.  0. 


PREFACE. 


A  general  and  sufficient  reason  for  the  publica- 
tion of  such  a  work  is  found,  in  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  British  Standard,  by  Eev.  Dr.  Campbell, 
of  London,  referring  to  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  in 
Scotland :  "  One  theatre  of  his  operations  was 
Dumfries,  where  a  work  of  a  very  extraordinary 
character  was  carried  on  for  a  lengthened  period. 
All  sects  and  denominations  united,  and  there  was 
such  a  movement  both  in  and  around  the  town  as, 
we  believe,  was  never  previously  heard  of.  The 
largest  church  edifices  were  too  small  to  accommo- 
date the  meetings  which  were  held  both  day  and 
night.  The  facts  of  the  enterprise  were  recorded 
in  a  very  interesting  pamphlet,  which  was  sent  us, 
and  which  we  publish  in  successive  portions  in  the 
British  Ensign,  We  have  reason  to  believe  that 
the  narrative  was  read  with  very  deep  interest,  and 
that  it  has  been  extensively  useful. 

"  Mr.  Hammond  next  appeared  in  Glasgow, 
where  he  labored  with  equal  zeal,  energy,  and  suc- 
cess, surrounded,  encouraged,  and  sustained  by 
ministers  of  the  various   denominations.     The   ac- 


IV  PREFACE. 

count  of  his  doings  there,  and  those  of  his  zealous 
associates,  have  now  reached  us  in  the  form  of  a 
handsome  volume,  entitled  '  Grood-will  to  Men :  a 
narrative  of  Evangelistic  labors,  and  of  the  blessed 
results  which  attended  them  during  his  visit  to 
Glasgow,  in  the  Spring  of  1861 :  with  an  intro- 
ductory note  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Hetherington,  Pro- 
fessor of  Theology,  Free  Church,  Glasgow.' 

"  Amid  the  many  interesting  things  in  the  volume, 
the  most  important,  we  think,  is  the  report  of  the 
soiree  and  presentation  to  Mr.  Hammond,  in  Glas- 
gow, prior  to  his  departure.  His  own  speech  on 
that  occasion,  made  just  on  his  return  from  Italy, 
is  one  of  very  deep  interest.  We  shall  endeavor  to 
make  room  for  it  in  the  next  number  of  the  British 
Ensign,^^ 

The  present  volume  was  suggested  by  the  writer, 
and  its  design  is  not  to  honor  man,  but  God ;  to 
furnish  Christians  and  all  friends  of  revivals,  for 
their  own  estimate  of  truth  and  duty,  of  evan- 
gelistic labors  and  the  great  awakenings  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic,  sketches  of  the  wonderful  and 
blessed  harvest-scenes  within  a  few  years  past. 

The  editor  of  these  unpretending  pages  entered 
upon  his  work,  hopeful  of  God's  guidance  and 
blessing,  because,  whatever  the  diiFerence  of  opinion 
of  men  and  measures,  all  must  feel  that  the  whole 
question  of  religious  effort  —  the  grand  enterprise  of 
a  world's  conversion,  compared  with  which  all  other 


PREFACE.  V 

objects  become  insignificant,  is  one  of  general  con- 
cern. And  we  believe  the  facts  here  given  are 
authentic.  They  were  taken  either  from  formal 
narratives  referred  to,  scrap-books  containing  the 
reports  of  local  papers,  prepared  by  a  lady  in  Scot- 
land, or  from  written  correspondence.  All  the  works 
upon  revivals  at  command  have  been  consulted,  and 
the  reader  left  as  far  as  possible  to  judge  of  prin- 
ciples, facts  and  results,  rather  than  invited  to  ac- 
cept the  views  of  any  one  connected  with  this 
volume.  It  has  been  the  constant  endeavor  to 
keep,  in  its  proper  relation  to  the  truthfulness  and 
usefulness  of  the  book,  the  name  of  him  whose 
recent  labors  are  embodied  in  it ;  and  it  is  now  sent 
forth  with  the  prayer,  that  it  may  contribute  to  the 
advancement  of  God's  kingdom,  and  the  encourage- 
ment of  those  who  long  for  its  triumphant  coming. 


INTKODTJOTIOlSr. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  introduce  this  book  to 
Mr.  Hammond's  friends  in  this  country  and  Great 
Britain.  Those  who  know  and  love  him  will  enjoy 
reading  its  pages,  and  will  no  doubt  be  reminded  of 
scenes  somewhat  similar  which  they  have  witnessed 
in  their  own  localities.  Those  who  are  strangers  to 
him  can  but  be  benefited  as  they  read  of  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  resting  upon  the  gatherings  of 
God's  people. 

Jonathan  Edwards,  more  than  one  hundred  years 
ago,  said  :  '^  The  best  way  to  promote  revivals  of  re- 
ligion is  to  tell  of  them  in  other  places. ' '  Surely, 
then,  the  heart-stirring  descriptions  of  these  harvest 
scenes,  which  Mr.  Headley  has  given  us  in  this 
book,  must  lead  many  of  its  readers  to  feel  the  im- 
portance of  offering  more  earnestly  the  prayer  com- 
manded by  our  Saviour,  ''  The  harvest  truly  is 
plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are  few  ;  Pray  ye  there- 
fore the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He  will  send 
forth  laborers  into  His  harvest. " 

My  first  personal  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Hammond 
was  in  St.  Louis^  where  I  was  then  a  pastor,  and 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

where  he  held  a  series  of  Union  Services  for  nine 
weeks,  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  1874. 

A  brief  description  of  those  remarkable  meetings 
will  be  found  in  this  book  from  the  pen  of  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  H.  Brooks,  who,  with  the  other  pastors  of 
the  city,  took  an  active  part  in  the  work.  Never 
before  or  since  has  there  been  a  work  of  such  depth 
and  widespread  magnitude  in  St.  Louis. 

It  was  stated  at  one  of  the  Elders'  meetings  at  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  a 
few  weeks  after  Mr.  Hammond's  departure  for 
Galveston,  that  to  that  time  upward  of  five  thou- 
sand, as  the  direct  result  of  God's  blessing  on  the 
Union  Services,  had  been  examined  by  the  different 
pastors  and  received  into  the  churches.  This  may 
be  an  exaggeration,  but  it  is  certain  that  vast 
numbers  were  received  by  the  churches. 

Similar  results  have  followed  this  evangehst's 
labors  in  other  cities  and  other  lands.  Yet  we  have 
heard  Mr.  Hammond  say  that  he  feels  he  is  but  one 
AMONG  MANY  rcapcrs  in  these  fields,  where  so  many 
sheaves  have  been  gathered  in. 

Those  who  are  seeking  to  win  souls  to  Christ  can 
but  learn  lessons  fraught  with  rich  instructions  from 
this  evangelist's  remarkable  career.  As  soon  as 
Mr.  Hammond  was  converted,  more  than  thirty-five 
years  ago,  he  began  to  '^  do  the  work  of  cm  evcm- 
gelist. " 

Young  ministers  will  do  well  to  study  this  book. 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

It  will  help  them  to  labor  more  directly  for  the 
salvation  of  souls.  Durrag  Mr.  Hammond's  closing 
service  in  St.  Louis,  at  which  it  was  stated  about 
four  thousand  were  present  from  nine  in  the  morn- 
ing till  one  P.M.,  nearly  all  of  the  pastors  of  the  city 
made  farewell  addresses.  These  were  published  in 
a  volume  of  considerable  size,  giving  a  full  account 
of  the  meetings.  From  this  we  quote  the  words  of 
C.  L.  Goodell,  D.D.  : 

"  There  are  no  festivals,  my  friends,  like  the  Christian's. 
We  are  compassed  about  '  by  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses 
to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.'  There  are  no  joys  like 
the  Christian's  joys.  There  are  no  hopes  like  the  Chris- 
tian's hopes.  There  is  no  salvation  like  that  salvation 
which  comes  alone  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  You  re- 
member that  when  the  great  council  met  at  Nice  in  325,  the 
head  of  the  Church  and  of  the  State,  Emperor  Constantine, 
was  present,  and  a  great  many  petitions  had  been  sent  to 
him,  this  bishop  asking  for  this  preferment,  and  another 
asking  for  another.  And  there  was  a  great  roll  of  those 
petitions,  all  pertaining  to  self-interest,  all  in  the  line  of 
woridliness  and  promotion,  all  in  the  line  of  peculiar  tenets 
and  contested  issues  not  vital,  not  Christ-like.  When  in 
his  regal  robes  he  swept  into  that  council,  all  these  petitions 
were  piled  up  before  him  in  a  heap,  in  the  centre  of  a  great 
hall.  Then  Constantine  touched  a  match  to  them,  and  saw 
them  burn  up  together.  As  the  smoke  rose  up  to  heaven 
as  an  incense,  the  Spirit  of  God  came  down,  and  there  was 
such  a  baptism  as  had  never  been  known  before  in  the  early 
church.  They  were  led  to  grand  principles  and  to  the 
settlement  of  great  difficulties. 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

"  Now,  when  Brother  Hammond  came  here  we  took  our 
differences,  we  took  our  selfishness,  our  worldliness,  and 
laid  them  in  a  pile  together  and  burned  them  ;  and  as  the 
smoke  went  up  to  God,  His  Spirit  fell  upon  us.  Now,  my 
friends,  and  brother  clergymen  and  laymen,  we  will  never 
rake  in  the  ashes  again. " 

My  own  words,  at  the  time  reported  in  the  same 
book,  still  express  my  feelings. 

"  I  have  been  most  deeply  interested  in  this  series  of 
Union  Services.  Never  before  have  all  my  energies  and  all 
the  powers  of  my  heart  been  so  aroused,  so  called  out  and  so 
concentrated  upon  one  work  as  they  have  been  during  these 
last  nine  weeks.  I  have  been  in  perfect  accord  with  my 
brother  Hammond  ;  I  have  loved  him  as  a  friend  and  as  a 
brother  ;  I  have  admired  not  only  the  energy  and  tact,  and 
his  way  of  putting  things,  but  the  transcendent  ability  which 
God  has  given  him  to  preach  the  everlasting  Gospel.  I  have 
never  listened  to  more  effective  preaching  than  I  have  heard 
from  the  lips  of  this  brother.  He  makes  his  point ;  he 
presents  the  truth,  illustrates  it,  and  enforces  it ;  and  that 
is  what  I  call  able  preaching. 

*'  He  has  won  to  Christ  hundreds  and  thousands  of  people 
in  this  city,  and  I  call  that  effective  ministry.  We  greatly 
honor  him,  not  simply  because  he  has  method,  piety, 
energy  and  shrewdness,  but  because  God  has  put  within  him 
vast  resources,  which  make  him  equal  to  any  occasion  in  this 
line  to  which  God  calls  him  ;  and  I  am  glad  to  stand  on  this 
platform  and  say  these  words  now.  He  goes  from  us,  and 
the  prayers  of  this  mighty  city  go  with  him — the  good 
wishes  not  only  of  Christians,  but  of  those  who  are  not 
Christians  go  with  him,     I  bless  God  that  I  have  seen  this 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

day  in  this  city — a  day  which  I  scarcely  dared  hope  for, 
the  like  unto  which  I  have  never  seen  before,  and  I  fear  I 
will  never  see  again  in  this  world." 

This  book,  so  well  prepared  by  the  distinguished 
author,  and  so  well  put  forth  by  the  well-known 
publishers,  as  a  record  of  some  of  the  wonderful 
labors  and  successes  of  this  honored  servant  of  the 
Lord,  I  most  heartily  commend  to  all  lovers  of 
Christ,  with  the  prayer  and  in  the  hope  that  it  will 
prove  helpful  to  thousands  of  reapers  in  the  harvest- 
field. 

A.   H.   BURLESTGHAM. 

New  York,  November,  1884. 


HARVEST  WORK  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


CHAPTER  1. 

What  is  a  revival  ?  The  relation  of  revivals  to  the  growth  of  the 
church.  Hindrances  to  their  occurrence  and  progress.  Testi- 
mony of  Kev.  James  Caughy.  Rev.  E.  Porter,  D.D.  The  fare- 
well words  of  John  Angell  James.  The  work  of  the  Evangelist. 
The  present  position  and  duty  of  the  church. 

The  terms  revival,  awakening,  and  reformation, 
with  other  forms  of  expression  in  popular  use,  mean 
the  same  thing  —  an  unusual  measure  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  among  the  people,  beginning  "  at  the  House 
of  God."  Although  the  indispensable  agent  in 
regeneration  was  always  abroad,  and,  since  Abel 
bowed  at  his  altar,  has  led  every  soul  to  Christ 
saved  by  his  sacrifice ;  and  there  were  at  long 
intervals,  times  of  great  refreshing  as  in  the  reign  of 
Hezekiah  ;  yet,  is  it  evident,  that  under  the  new 
economy  of  grace,  the  revival  period  in  the  church 
commenced  at  Jerusalem,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
The  most  spiritual  branch  of  Zion  has  had  and  must 
have  the  harvest  seasons,  when,  like  the  fields  of  the 
prosperous  husbandman,  the   scenes  of  joyful    in- 


14  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

gathering  of  the  ripened  grain,  display  the  richness 
and  abundance  of  God's  goodness  and  mercy. 

Rev.  Dr.  Hetherington,  Professor  of  Theology  in 
the  Free  Church  College,  Glasgow,  in  his  intro- 
tion  to  "  Good  Will  to  Men,"  gives  the  following 
explanation  of  the  word  revival : 

"  The  word  itself  is  often  used  in  Scripture,  and,  as  so  used, 
it  generally  implies  the  reproduction  of  a  spiritual  life  which 
had  almost  died  away.  It  is  not,  however,  strictly  synonymous 
with  the  term  conversion ;  for  while  revival  implies  the  renewal 
of  a  life  which  had  almost  died  away,  conversion  strictly  means 
the  conferring  of  a  spiritual  life  on  those  who  were  previously 
*  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. '  In  truth,  it  so  happens  that 
revivals  and  conversions  commonly  accompany  each  other  ;  so 
that,  where  conversions  are  frequent  and  striking,  many  will 
be  re-quickened  or  revived. ' ' 

In  the  glowing  language  of  Rev.  Wm.  Reid, 
editor  of  the  British  Herald  : 

"  God  in  his  wise  and  holy  Providence,  answers  prayer  *  by 
terrible  things  in  righteousness,'  and  close  upon  the  back  of  a 
judgment  period,  the  Holy  Spirit  descends  upon  a  whole  com- 
munity as  '  a  rushing  mighty  wind  '  —  like  '  floods  upon  dry 
ground,'  or  *  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass; 'and  the  great 
heart  of  society  begins  to  heave  and  palpitate  as  the  heart  of 
one  man,  and  myriads  of  careless  sinners  are  arrested,  alarmed, 
filled  with  anxiety  about  salvation,  and  turned  simultaneously 
to  look  on  Him  whom  they  have  pierced,  and  mourn  those  sins 
that  pierced  Him  and  brought  Him  to  the  dust  of  death. 

'*  The  quiet  conversion  of  one  sinner  after  another,  under  the 
ordinary  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  must  always  be  regarded  with 
feelings  of   satisfaction  and  gratitude,  by  the  ministers  and 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  15 

dieciples  of  Christ ;  but  a  periodical  manifestation  of  the 
simultaneous  conversion  of  thousands  is  also  to  be  desired, 
because  of  its  adaptation  to  afford  a  visible  and  impressive  de- 
monstration to  a  veorld  lying  in  wickedness,  that  God  has 
made  that  same  Jesus,  v^hom  they  have  rejected  and  crucified, 
both  Lord  and  Christ ;  and  that,  in  virtue  of  his  Divine 
Mediatorship,  He  has  assumed  the  royal  sceptre  of  universal 
supremacy,  and  *  must  reign  till  all  His  enemies  be  made  His 
foststooL ' 

"  And,  considering  that  He  is  '  by  the  right  hand  of  God 
exalted,'  as  the  rightful  though  rejected  Sovereign  of  the 
world,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  expect  that,  from  time  to  time. 
He  will  repeat  that  which,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  formed  the 
conclusive  and  crowning  evidence  of  His  Messiahship  and 
Sovereignty ;  and,  by  so  doing,  startle  the  slumbering  souls  of 
careless  worldlings,  gain  the  attentive  ear  of  the  unconverted, 
and,  in  a  remarkable  way,  break  in  upon  those  brilliant  dreams 
of  earthly  glory,  grandeur,  wealth,  power,  and  happiness, 
which  the  rebellious  and  God-forgetting  multitude  so  fondly 
cherish?  Such  an  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  would  form, 
at  once,  a  demonstrative  proof  of  the  completeness  and  accept- 
ance of  His  once  offering  of  Himself  as  a  sacritice  for  sin,  and 
a  prophetic  '  earnest '  of  the  certainty  that  He  '  shall  appear 
the  Sfecond  time  without  sin  unto  salvation,'  to  'judge  the 
world  in  righteousness,'  and  *  give  to  every  man  according  as 
his  work  shaU  be.'  And,in  every  age  of  the  Church,  the  God 
of  our  salvation  has  graciously  bestowed  the  Holy  Spirit  in  His 
demonstrative  power,  that  He  might  glorify  Jeeua,  by  discover- 
ing Him  in  all  His  fulness  to  the  regenerated  souls  of  multi- 
tudes of  His  ransomed  people.  When  '  the  promise  of  the 
Father '  was  first  realized  on  the  solemn  day  of  the  first  Pente- 
cost, after  the  ascension  of  Jesus  to  the  right  hand  of  power,  an 
all  but  universal  awakening  was  experienced,  and  thousands  of 
Jerusalem  sinners  were  simultaneously  convinced  of  sin  and 


16  THE   HARVEST   WORD 

converted  to  God.  We  read  that  '  about  three  thousand  souls  ' 
repented,  and  were  baptized  '  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  for 
the  remission  of  sins,'  and  received  *  the  gift  of  the  Holj  Ghost,' 
as  the  result  of  one  exhibition  of  the  Cross  and  Sceptre  of  the 
glorified  Emmanuel.  With  one  voice  we  exclaim,  *  How  bless- 
ed ! '  But  how  very  many  of  us  are,  at  the  same  time,  enter- 
taining the  idea,  that  although  it  was  peculiarly  needful,  then, 
as  a  testimony  for  Jesus,  and  to  solemnize  the  inauguration  of 
the  new  dispensation,  which  is  termed  emphatically  '  the  minis- 
tration of  the  Spirit,'  yet  such  a  remarkable  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  such  a  vast  number  of  simultaneous  con- 
versions, are  not  to  be  expected  in  subsequent  ages.  But,  by 
harboring  such  a  thought,  we  entertain  an  opinion,  which  both 
Scripture  and  ecclesiastical  history  unite  to  disclaim :  for  the 
Word  of  God  leads  us  still  to  expect  the  Holy  Spirit,  *  like 
floods  upon  the  dry  ground  ; '  and  such  '  times  of  refreshing  ' 
and  wide-spread,  simultaneous  conversion  have  repeatedly  oc- 
curred in  the  history  of  the  Church,  as  to  prove  conclusively, 
that  extraordinary  religious  awakening  and  simultaneous  con- 
version ought  not  to  be  regarded  as  peculiar  to  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  but  as  part  of  the  ordinary  working  out  of  God's 
great  purpose  of  grace,  for  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  the 
ungodly,  and  for  ultimately  *  bringing  many  sons  to  glory.' 
The  history  of  the  Church  in  our  own  land  bears  ample  and 
frequent  testimony  to  such  periodical  awakening  and  remark- 
able revival." 

We  shall  not  attempt  a  narrative  of  the  "  times 
of  refreshing,"  since  that  Pentecostal  baptism  of  the 
Spirit,  peculiar  only  in  a  fevr  miraculous  manifesta- 
tions, to  authenticate,  and  give  a  fitting  inauguration 
to  the  new  and  glorious  working  of  His  power ;  nor 
of  the  mighty   outgoings   of   the  conquering  Em- 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  17 

manuel  in  England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  on  the 
continent,  in  centuries  past ;  but  turn  for  illustra- 
tion of  the  facts  recorded  in  the  Sacred  Annals,  to 
our  New  England  history,  and  also  that  of  the  Mid- 
dle and  Southern  States.  From  the  earliest  settle- 
ment of  the  country,  the  churches  were  enlarged  and 
etrengthened  by  the  special  visitations  of  the  Spirit. 

But,  within  the  last  century  and  a  half,  there 
have  been  the  most  frequent  and  amazing  exhibi- 
tions of  His  wonder-working  presence.  The  "  Let- 
ters on  Revivals,"  by  Eev.  E.  Porter,  D.  D.,  late 
Professor  of  Theology  at  Andover,  "  Thoughts  on 
the  Revival  of  Religion  in  New  England,  A.  D., 
1740,"  by  Jonathan  Edwards,  and  Joseph  Tracy's 
more  elaborate  work,  "The  Great  Awakening," 
contain  stirring  narratives  of  the  mighty  manifesta- 
tions of  the  Spirit  in  our  country,  which  commenced 
in  1739,  whose  beginning,  in  some  cases,  was  "  at- 
tended with  overwhelming  power."  Rev.  Dr. 
Griffin,  then  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  describes,  with 
graphic  pen,  the  marvelous  descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  upon  all  the  people,  so  that,  regardless  of 
time,  the  children  even  hung  upon  his  lips  until  he 
was  sometimes  compelled  to  leave  them. 

In  Vermont,  "on  a  sudden,  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  appeared  to  come  like  a  rushing  mighty  wind. 
Almost  the  whole  place  was  shaken  at  once ;  scarce- 
ly was  there  a  family  in  which  some  were  not 
earnestly    inquiring    what    they   should    do    to  be 


18  THi:   HARVEST   WORK 

saved ;  scarcely  a  countenance  without  evident 
marks  of  solemnity." 

Whitefield  came  to  America, in  1739,  and  went  with 
flaming  zeal  and  great  success,  through  the  Northern 
and  Southern  States.  Yet  was  he  met  by  decided 
opposition  in  and  out  of  the  Church.  Associations 
of  ministers  passed  resolutions  against  his  evan- 
gelistic labors.  Still  he  labored  on,  finding  con- 
genial spirits  in  the  Tennents,  also  "sons  of 
thunder,"  in  proclaiming  the  gospel  message.  There 
were  extravagances  incident  to  human  weakness  in 
many  places,  but  the  good  fruits  made  the  tares 
seem  inconsiderable  in  the  contrast.  The  churches 
were  raised  to  a  higher  plane  of  religious  experi- 
ence and  duty. 

Of  the  phenomena  in  general,  attending  the  re- 
vivals. Dr.  Porter  writes : 

"  In  many  instances,  less  promising  at  jfirst,  there  was  a 
gradual  progress  for  three,  six,  and  even  eighteen  months,  be- 
fore any  visible  decline  ;  and  in  some  of  these,  a  steady  current 
of  divine  influence,  rising  and  swelling,  amid  continued 
showers  of  heaven,  bore  down  all  opposition.  The  churches, 
which  were  visited  with  these  more  protracted  seasons  of  mercy, 
generally,  perhaps,  received  the  most  solid  accession  to  their 
strength,  if  not  in  numbers,  at  least  in  the  intelligent,  shining, 
enduring  piety  of  those  who  were  added  to  their  communion. 
It  ought  to  be  observed,  that,  while  in  some  places  divine  in- 
fluence was  continued,  for  several  years,  like  the  dew  that 
descended  on  the  mountains  of  Zion,  in  others  there  was  an 
apparent  suspension  and  renewal  of  such  influence,  resembling 
successive  revivals,  several  times  in  the  same  year.'' 


OF  THE   HOLY  SPIRIT.  19 

Among  the  Evangelists,  who  assisted  pastors  dur- 
ing these  revivals,  conspicuous  are  the  names  of 
George  Whitefield,  Gilbert  Tennent,  and  Asahel 
Nettleton.  Associated  with  the  similar  scenes  since 
that  period,  are  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk,  now  of  Boston, 
whose  success  was  very  similar  to  Dr.  Nettleton's  ; 
and,  also,  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney.  The  annals  of 
1831  especially,  and  1857  and  1858,  are  familiar  to 
the  present  generation,  and  need  no  farther  mention 
here,  than  that,  under  the  rebukes  of  God's  provi- 
dence, bringing  Christians  to  their  knees,  the  great 
religious  movement  arose  directly  in  the  hearts  of 
the  people,  with  no  other  visible  means  besides 
those  in  ordinary  use,  excepting  the  meetings  for 
daily  prayer.  That  but  a  small  portion  of  the  bless- 
ing offered  was  secured,  and  loss  sustained  for  the 
want  of  deeper  humiliation,  more  entire  consecra- 
tion and  discriminating  presentation  of  the  evan- 
gelical system,  none  can  doubt,  Notwithstanding,  it 
was  a  priceless  benediction  to  our  land,  preparing 
it  in  some  degree  for  the  life-struggle  of  freedom, 
and  many  of  her  sons,  for  the  Christian  hero's 
death  on  the  battle-field.  And  here  we  may  add, 
that  when  Christians  in  England  express  their  sur- 
prise, that  the  great  awakening  did  not  visibly  affect 
the  anti-slavery  cause,  they  overlook  the  fact  that  a 
religiouB  influence  which  would  revolutionize  govern- 
ment, virtually  controlling  its  politics,  must  transcend 
anything  Britain  or  America  can  hope  for  till  very 


20  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

near  the  millennial  period,  when  a  nation  shall  be 
born  in  a  day.  Until  then,  we  shall  have  to  mark 
the  effect  of  revivals  upon  churches  and  communi- 
ties where  they  occur,  and  the  general  progress  in 
religious  thought  among  the  masses,  silently  and 
almost  unconsciously  preparing  them  for  great 
changes  in  political  and  commercial  life,  and  giving 
an  impulse  through  the  under  currents  of  feeling,  to 
the  popular  reforms  which  spring  from  the  gospel  of 
Christ, —  the  soul  of  all  true  progress  in  the  world. 
There  can  be  no  more  important  inquiry  to  a 
Christian  mind,  than  that  which  is  directed  to  the 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  gracious  visitation  of 
the  Spirit  to  save  the  souls  of  men,  and  those  which 
interfere  with  his  work,  when  already  commenced. 
Like  the  destroying  angeFs  mission,  the  question 
goes  at  once  to  the  sanctuary  and  the  very  altars  of 
God.  On  this  subject  we  quote  from  Dr.  Porter's 
Letters  on  Revivals,  whose  wisdom  and  piety  is 
known  to  all  the  churches.  After  specifying  defects 
in  the  pulpit,  he  writes  :  "  that,  where  there  were  no 
revivals  at  the  period  to  which  I've  referred,  it  was 
generally  the  fact,  either  that  ilie  whole  truth  was 
not  exhibited  in  the  pulpit,  or  at  least  with  pungency 
and  fidelity,  or  that  the  proper  tendency  of  preach- 
ing, though  good  in  itself,  was  frustrated  by  some- 
thing decidedly  amiss  in  pastoral  influence." ' 

Dr.   James   W.   Alexander,   of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  New  York  City,  who  so   recently  departed 


OF   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  21 

to  his  rest  above,  urged  with  great  force  upon  the 
clergy  the  singleness  of  aim  in  securing  the  salva- 
tion of  souls ;  and  with  the  venerable  Dr.  Ide,  of 
Medway,  expressed  his  strong  preference  for  extem- 
pore preaching,  as  designed  to  reach  more  directly 
the  people,  and  accomplish  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  Dr.  Thomas  H.  Skinner,  of 'the  same 
city,  has  always,  by  various  discourses  and  example, 
presented  similar  views,  recognizing  the  necessity 
of  revivals,  and  the  work  of  the  Evangelist. 

Indeed,  the  ministers,  greatly  blessed  in  winning 
the  souls  to  Christ  in  all  denominations,  have  not 
differed  on  this  question  of  means  and  results,  ex- 
cepting on  minor  points  of  labor. 

We  shall  quote  an  eloquent  passage  from  Rev. 
James  Caughy,  the  Nettle  ton  of  the  Methodist 
church,  an  eminently  successful  evangelist.  In  his 
"  Revival  Miscellanies,"  a  work  of  great  power,  ad- 
dressing a  friend  upon  the  objections  usually  made 
to  revival  efforts,  he  says : 

''  Christianity  has  her  subjects  of  beauty,  harmony,  and 
grandeur.  In  many  instances,  she  would  seem  to  invite  the  in- 
quiring mind  into  the  investigation  of  '  truth  in  the  abstract ; ' 
where  taste  may  be  regaled,  and  where  the  lover  of  polite  liter- 
ature may  luxuriate  in  the  wide  field  of  her  boundless  wealth. 
That  there  is  much  in  such  intellectual  disquisitions  '  to  soothe 
the  mind,'  '  please  the  fancy,  and  move  the  affections j'  I  do 
admit ;  but  I  do  not  forget,  that  there  may  be  much  also  to 
gratify  human  vanity.  Could  you  see  my  papers,  which  are 
folded  up  and  put  away,  you  could  not  believe  such  subjecte 


22  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

have  been  by  me  '  always  and  wholly  disregarded  ;  '  but  they 
are  totally  unfit  for  the  present  services,  and  those  great  truths 
which  are  adapted  to  them  I  conscientiously  prefer,  even  at  the 
risk  of  having  '  certain  persons  of  an  intellectual  character 
form  an  unfavorable  opinion  of  the  mind  and  education  of  the 
stranger. ' 

"  My  work,  in  these  special  services,  is  to  cast  away  from  me 
every  discussion  that  would  serve  to  retard  the  great  purposes 
of  my  mission,  and  to  preach  those  mighty  truths  of  the  Gos- 
pel that  will  awaken  and  convert  men.  If  some  of  my  hearers 
do  not,  or  will  not  understand  my  '  object  and  aim,'  I  cannot 
help  it.  We  may  say  of  fine  sermons,  during  a  revival,  as 
Hector  said  to  Paris  :  '  It  is  not  your  golden  harp,  nor  curled 
hair,  and  beautiful  painting,  that  will  stand  you  in  the  field  ; ' 
and,  as  an  old  divine  says  :  '  Neither  is  it  the  vvrought  scab- 
bard, but  the  strong  blade ;  not  the  bright  color,  but  the  sharp 
edge  of  it,  that  helpeth  in  danger,  and  hurteth  the  enemy.'  I 
have,  my  dear  sir,  drawn  the  sword,  and  have  thrown  away  the 
scabbard.  Let  jesters  and  speculators  '  have  their  say,'  — 
that  sword  shall  make  havoc,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
among  '  the  king's  enemies ; '  and  before  I  leave  this  chapel,  I 
hope  to  be  able  to  point  to  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses,  —  a  host 
oi  new  converts,  — and  say,  *  Behold  the  fruits  of  my  ministry  !' 
These  are  of  more  value  to  me  in  the  church  of  God  than 
thousands  of  hearers  applauding  my  sermons,  and  not  a  sinner, 
perhaps,  converted  to  God  !  " 

We  add,  as  most  solemn  and  touching  counsel,  the 
last  work  of  a  justly  distinguished  pen,  passages 
from  the  Review  of  the  Life  of  Richard  Knill,  whose 
tracts  are  well  known,  by  John  Angell  James,  with 
whom  Mr.  Hammond  had  an  interview,  at  his  home 
in  Birmingham,  just  before  this  last  testimony  was 
written.     It  is  also  an  interesting  fact,  that  Rev.  Dr. 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  23 

Carruthers,  whose  earnest  words  are  found  in  this 
chapter,  was  predecessor  to  Mr.  Knill,  in  the  Scottish 
Missionary  Church  of  St.  Petersburg,  Russia.  The 
venerable  author  writes  of  Dr.  Knill : 

"  We  now  take  up  the  inquiry  after  the  means,  by  which  he 
attained  to  so  great  a  measure  of  usefulness.  It  is  evident  that 
it  was,  in  a  great  degree,  to  be  attributed  to  his  intense  desire 
after  it.  He  set  out  in  life  with  the  adoption  of  that  mighty, 
impulsive,  and  glorious  word,  usefulness  ;  and  usefulness,  with 
him,  means  converting  sinners.  He  yearned  for  the  salvation  of 
souls.  It  was,  with  him,  not  merely  a  principle,  or  a  privilege, 
but  a  passion.  For  this  he  longed  and  prayed  in  the  closet, 
wrote  in  the  study,  labored  in  the  pulpit,  conversed  in  the  par- 
lor, and  admonished,  counselled,  and  warned  wherever  he  went. 

*'  It  is,  I  think,  an  error  into  which  many  of  our  modern 
ministers,  whose  education  has  been  carried  to  a  high  pitch, 
have  fallen,  that  every  thing  is  to  be  done  by  the  head  rather 
than  the  heart.  We  know  very  well, that  the  true  method  is  to 
reach  the  heart  through  the  head,  and  that  men  must  be  made 
to  feel  by  being  shown  why  they  should  feel,  and  what  is  to 
make  them  feel.  But  in  very  many  cases,  especially  in  the  least 
educated,  the  head  is  to  be  reached  by  appeals  to  the  heart. 
We  often  hear  the  remark,  *  Yes,  it  was  a  clever  sermon,  but 
it  wanted  heart.'  ***** 

"  The  passion  for  the  conversion  of  soul8,which  he  manifested 
in  the  pulpit,  and  which  led  him  to  seek  it  with  such  earnest- 
ness there,  he  brought  with  him  out  of  the  sanctuary,  and 
carried  into  more  private  spheres,  as  the  great  object  of  life  and 
principle  of  action.  Like  the  enthusiastic  botanist,  geologist, 
he  was  ever  in  pursuit  of  his  object,  and  looking  out  for  fresh 
means  of  gaining  it.     It  was  bis  felicity  to  have  rarely  to  say, 


24  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

*  I  have  lost  an  opportunity.^       How  few,  how  very  few  of  us 
have  attained  to  this  watchfulness  for  occasions  of  usefuLaess. 

*  Whether  it  was  the  servant  girl  that  waited  upon  him  in  the 
house  of  a  friend,  or  the  host  and  hostess  themselves,  or  the 
fellow-traveller  in  the  railway  carriage,  or  the  porter  at  an  inn, 
or  a  person  he  usually  met  on  the  road,  or  a  sailor  on  the  sea- 
beach,  he  had  a  tract  or  a  word  —  generally  an  apt  word  —  for 
each.  In  every  one,  he  saw  an  immortal  being  on  his  passage 
to  eternity,  and  he  longed  to  be  the  instrument  of  his  con- 
version. Oh,  what  multitudes  would  be  converted  to  God,  and 
how  changed  would  be  the  face  of  society,  if  all  ministers  and 
all  Christians  were  thus  set  upon  the  work  of  saving  souls  ! 
And  why  should  they  not  be  ? 

"  He  had  an  ardent,  and,  if  we  may  so  say,  an  outgoing  soul. 
Then  there  was  dauntless  moral  courage,  and  an  unflinching 
boldness  of  address. 

'*  By  many,  I  know,  the  introduction  of  religion  in  the  way  of 
personal  address,  especially  if  the  person  he  treated  as  uncon- 
verted, is  considered  as  a  breach  of  good  manners  and  a  mark 
of  vulgarity  ;  and  too  many  pious  people,  and  ministers,  also, 
yield  to  this  conventionalism,  and  pass  through  life  without  ever 
attempting  thus  to  do  good.  But  can  this  be  right  ?  Is  it  not 
a  cowardly,  guilty  silence?  If  we  have  found  the  secret  of 
happiness  for  both  worlds,  should  we  not  in  all  proper  ways 
seek  to  make  it  known  to  others  ? 

He  was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer,  and  did  everything  in 
the  spirit  of  prayer.  His  communion  with  God  was  close  and 
constant.  He  came  from  the  closet  strengthened  for  his  work 
in  the  pulpit  and  in  the  city,  and  went  back  to  his  closet,  not 
only  for  repose  and  refreshment,  but  to  be  strengthened  and 
prepared  for  further  labor.  This  made  him  *  strong  in  the 
Lord  and  in  the  power  of  His  might.'  And  why  are  any  of 
God's  servants  feeble  in  action,  but  because  they  are  weak  w 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  25 

devotion  ?  We  live  in  days  when  Christians  are  far  less  in  the 
closet  than  they  should  be.  The  study  and  the  counting-house 
encroach  upon  the  closet.  We  are  preaching-men  and  busi- 
ness-men, but  not  so  much  as  we  should  be,  praying-men. 

*•  In  the  retrospect  of  a  long  life,  now  drawing  to  a  close,  dur- 
ing which  I  have  watched,  of  course,  the  career,  and  observed 
the  mode  of  action,  of  many  of  my  brethren,  I  have  noticed 
great  diversity  in  the  results  of  their  ministry ;  and  I  have 
most  assuredly  seen,  that  where  they  have  been  intensely  earn- 
est for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  have  sought  this  by  a  style  of 
preaching  adapted  to  accomplish  it,  God  has  honored  their  en- 
deavors by  giving  them  success.  If,  without  impropriety,  I 
may  refer  here,  as  I  believe  I  have  done  elsewhere,  to  the  ser- 
vice which,  during  fifty-four  years,  I  have  been  allowed  to 
render  to  our  Great  Master,  I  may  declare  my  thankfulness  in 
being  able,  in  some  small  degree,  to  rejoice  that  the  conversion 
of  sinners  has  been  my  aim.  I  have  made,  next  to  the  Bible, 
Baxter's  *  Reformed  Pastor,'  my  rule  as  regards  the  object  of 
my  ministry, 

"  I  sometimes  venture  to  hope  that  it  has  kindled  in  me  a 
spark,  but  oh,  how  dim !  of  that  spirit  which  actuated  Mr. 
Knill.  In  regard  to  all  that  constitutes  earnestness,  I  blush  be- 
fore his  statue,  as  it  rises  before  me  in  this  volume,  and  confess 
my  short  comings  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Standing,  as  I  now 
do,  in  the  prospect  of  the  close  of  my  ministry,  of  the  eternal 
world,  and  of  my  summons  to  the  presence  of  the  Great  Lord 
of  all,  the  salvation  of  souls,  as  the  object  of  the  ministry,  ap- 
pears to  me,  more  than  ever  before,  in  all  its  awful  sublimity. 
Everything  else,  as  compared  with  this,  seems  but  as  the  small 
dust  of  the  balance  ;  and  though,  perhaps,  not  altogether  an 
idler  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  it  is  now  my  grief  that  I  have 
not  been  more  devoted.  To  my  younger  brethren  I  say,  You 
are  engaged  in  the  greatest  work  in  the  universe ;  for  in  preach- 
ing for  the  salvation  of  souls,  you  are  brought  into  fellowship 


26  THE    HARVEST    WORK 

with  God  in  His  eternal  purposes  of  mercy  to  the  children  ol 
men,  with  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  His  redeeming  work  upon 
the  cross  ;  with  the  Holy  Spirit  in  His  mission  to  our  world  ; 
and  with  prophets,  apostles,  and  martyrs.  Heaven,  through 
eternity,  will  resound  with  the  praises  of  your  diligence,  or 
hell  with  lamentations  and  execrations  upon  your  neglect. 
Happy  will  it  be  for  you,  and  happy  for  your  flocks,  if  the 
perusal  of  this  volume  should  help  you  to  find  and  to  wear  the 
mantle  of  Kichard  Knill." 

While  these  weighty  words  were  passing  through 
(he  press,  the  great  and  good  man  suddenly  finished 
his  course,  and  joined  the  church  triumphant  — 
leaving  to  his  ministerial  brethren,  and  to  all,  this 
affecting  entreaty  and  benediction. 

In  the  churches,  the  grand  difficulty  has  always 
been  unfaithfulness  to  covenant  vows  —  either  as 
stated  by  Dr.  Porter,  neglect  of  discipline  indis- 
pensable to  healthful  growth  and  moral  power,  or 
the  practical  opposition,  if  not  open  to  revivals,  and 
scepticism  in  regard  to  the  doctrine  of  the  final  and 
eternal  punishment  of  the  impenitent,  which  have 
made,  and  do  make,  the  world  doubt  the  reality  of 
religion.  The  want  of  believing  prayer,  is  the  fatal 
weakness  toward  God.  Prayer,  whose  qualities  are 
sincerity,  which  leads  to  appropriate  effort  —  fervor, 
which  wrestles  with  God,  and  perseverance,  which 
takes  no  denial ;  prayer  and  fasting  before  God. 
Says  Edwards,  in  his  "  Thoughts  on  the  Revival  of 
Religion  in  New  England,"  "  There  is  no  way 
that   Christians   in   a  private   capacity  can  do   so 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  27 

much  to  promote  the  work  of  God,  and  advance  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  as  by  prayer.  By  this,  even 
women,  and  children  and  servants  may  have  a  pub- 
lic influence.  God  is,  if  I  may  so  say,  at  the  com- 
mand of  the  prayer  of  faith."  Edwards  dwells 
warmly  upon  the  Scriptural  duty  and  privilege  of 
private  and  public  fasts.  Christians  must  go 
through  Gethsemane,  to  the  cross,  with  their  bur- 
den of  souls.  The  divine  appointment  of  Evan- 
gelists in  the  early  history  of  the  church,  none  will 
doubt ;  nor  we  think  can  it  be  shown  that  their 
oflSce  has  ever  been  set  aside. 

Dr.  Porter,  after  presenting  very  forcibly  the 
primary  importance  of  the  pastoral  relation,  recog- 
nizes the  value,  if  not  necessity,  of  successful 
helpers  in  gathering  God's  harvest :  "  In  a  large 
congregation,  where  the  ordinary  labors  of  the 
ministry  are  as  great  as  one  man  can  possibly  sus- 
tain, a  failure  of  his  health,  or  a  revival  among  his 
people,  may  render  it  indispensable  that  he  should 
have  help  in  his  work  for  weeks  or  months  succes- 
sively. Such  help  has  often  been  furnished  by  the 
occasional  labors  of  other  pastors,  who  have  had  a 
short  leave  of  absence  from  their  own  flocks.  But 
perhaps  the  only  adequate  provision  for  such  emer- 
gencies would  be,  that  a  few  men,  of  rare  endow- 
ments for  this  particular  service,  —  men  of  God, 
distinguished  for  judgment,  fervor  of  piety  and 
suavity  of  temper,  —  should  be  held   in   reserve  to 


28  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

labor  where  they  are  most  needed,  as  assistants  to 
stated  pastors."  We  think  the  following  resolutions 
drawn  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Balkam,  of  Lewiston,  Me., 
a  city  blessed  with  a  remarkable  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  an  evangelist, 
expresses  the  truth  on  this  subject : 

"  1.  God  honors  the  established  ministry  of  the  Christian 
religion  by  employing, in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  usually,  the 
truth,  as  preached  by  his  faithful  ministers. 

"  2.  The  establishment  of  such  a  ministry,  however  ef&cient 
and  successful  in  any  branch  of  the  church,  has  by  no  means 
exhausted  the  instrumentalities  of  salvation.  The  prerogative 
being  still  His,  to  project,  even  into  the  most  cultivated  portions 
of  his  vineyard,  new  and  additional  means. 

"  3.  Masses  of  precious  truth,  imparted  by  many  an  able  and 
faithful  pulpit,  sometimes  lie  inoperative,  at  least  in  that 
which  is  most  essential,  because  unquickened  by  the  Spirit  — 
by  importunity  of  prayer  —  by  devout  ardor  of  sympathy  — 
by  fervor  of  appeal  —  and  by  variety  of  motive  made  intense 
and  almost  irresistable.  To  do  this  may  demand,  for  a  time, 
men  and  measures  not  usually  employed. 

"4.  Evangelists  are  of  divine  appointment,  and  have  their 
peculiar  work.  That  work  is  never  in  derogation  of,  but  always 
collateral  and  auxiliary  to,  the  established  ministry ;  being 
designed  merely  to  supplement  its  officers  and  labors,  and  thus 
be  tributary  to  the  conversion  of  souls,  the  spread  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  and  the  glory  of  His  name." 

At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Free  Church,  in  Edinburgh,  May,  1860,  the  state- 
ment of  the  Rev.  Julius  Wood,  D.  D.,  formerly 
moderator,  in  whose  church  Mr.  Hammond  labored, 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  29 

fills  a  most  important  place  in  this  connection.  It 
is  given  respecting  the  phenomena  of  reyivals,  in  a 
report  of  that  body,  as  follows  : 

"  Dr.  Julius  Wood,  Convener  of  the  Committee  on  Religion 
and  Morals,  then  gave  in  his  report.  He  said  —  This,  in  some 
respects,  is  the  most  important  and  interesting  report  that  was 
ever  laid  on  the  table  of  the  General  Assembly.  If,  as  has 
been  said,  '  a  living  soul  is  of  more  value  than  a  dead  world.' 
what  joy  has  there  been  in  Heaven  over  souls,  that  have  been 
made  alive  in  Scotland,  since  we  met  here  in  General  Assembly 
a  year  ago  !  In  consequence  of  instructions  from  thelast  General 
Assembly,  the  Committee  on  Religion  and  Morals  transmitted  a 
circular  to  every  minister  and  probationer  in  a  charge  or  station 
throughout  the  Free  Church.  In  reply  to  that  circular  I  have 
received  168  returns  — 169,  for  one  has  reached  me  since  the 
Assembly  met.  These  169  returns  are  from  66  Presbyteries  of 
the  Church,  all  the  Presbyteries  except  5.  From  some  Pres- 
byteries we  have  received  only  one  return,  from  other  Presby- 
teries we  have  received  several.  Of  the  169  returns,  86  report 
decided  awakening  and  revival  in  the  congregations  of  which 
they  report.  These  86  congregations  are  to  be  found  in  42 
Presbyteries  of  the  Church.  Thus  in  42  Presbyteries  we  have 
reported,  decided  awakening  or  revival ;  and  in  the  other  83 
congregations  which  are  to  be  found  in  26  Presbyteries,  we  are 
gratified  by  being  told  that,  whilst  there  is  no  decided  awaken- 
ing or  revival,  there  is  in  almost  every  instance,  without  excep- 
tion, increased  attention  to,  and  interest  in  spiritual  things. 
We  find,  indeed,  that  since  the  returns  were  sent  in  to  me, 
awakening  has  taken  place  in  a  number  of  localities.  Some  of 
these  returns  were  sent  in  two  or  three  months  ago  ;  and  I  find, 
that  since  then  there  has  been  a  decided  work  of  the  Lord  going 
on  in  those  places,  whilst  at  that  time  they  were  able  only  to 
report  a  considerable  interest  in  religious  things.    In  many  of 


80  THE   HARVEST   WORK: 

our  congregations,  there  was  a  gradual  increase  of  the  spirit  of 
prayer  and  increased  expectation  of  revival,  which  was  quicken- 
ed when  we  had  tidings  of  the  Lord's  great  work  in  America 
and  Ireland.  These  tidings  both  excited  gratitude  to  God,  and 
raised  expectations  that  He  would  not  pass  us  by ;  and, when 
we  used  the  Scriptural  means  for  obtaining  the  blessing,  they 
were  blessed  to  us  by  God.  There  was  increased  attention  to 
the  preaching  of  the  Word,  increased  attention  at  prayer  meet- 
ings, and  an  increase  in  the  exercise  of  prayer  in  our  social  cir- 
cles, in  our  families,  and  in  secret.  And, when  the  Lord  had 
thus  prepared  us  for  receiving  the  blessing,  it  pleased  him  to 
pour  it  out  very  remarkably  and  very  abundantly.  1  cannot 
help  observing,  that  one  great  means  of  awakening  seems  to  have 
leen^the  communicating  of  intelligence  of  what  the  Lord  had 
done  in  other  places.  1  find  in  almost  all  the  reports,  that  this 
was  done  with  the  most  blessed  results.  The  information  interest- 
ed the  people,  and  brought  the  thing  home  to  them ;  they  felt  that 
it  was  a  reality ;  and  it  excited  a  desire  to  partake  of  the  bene- 
fit, and  led  them  to  use  the  means  God  has  appointed  for  obtain- 
ing the  benefit.  I  believe  we  can  scarcely  ascribe  too  much  in- 
fluence to  the  communication  of  religious  intelligence,  in  bring- 
ing about  the  results  in  which  we  this  day  rejoice.  The  revival 
throughout  the  country  began  in  every  variety  of  way,  and 
through  every  variety  of  instrumentality,  sometimes  under  the 
quiet  ministrations  of  the  stated  pastor,  sometimes  through  the 
visit  of  a  stranger  from  a  distance  ;  sometimes  it  was  a  con- 
vert, who  went  and  told  his  simple  story  of  the  Lord's  goodness 
to  him.  I  find,  in  many  of  the  returns,mention  made  of  such 
men  as  North,  Grant,  Radclifie,  Hammond,  Forlong,  and 
Weaver.  God  seems  to  have  honored  the  labors  of  these  men 
in  a  marvellous  way.  The  work  was  sometimes  carried  on 
by  a  single  remark  made  by  one  individual  to  another  —  by  the 
repetition  of  a  text  of  Scripture  —  by  a  message  from  one 
friend  to  another  —  or  by  a  letter  written  from  the  scene  of  re- 
vivals to  friends  or  relatives.   T  believe  that  the  day  of  judgment 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  31 

only  will  reveal, how  much  the  work  has  been  forwarded  by  the 
letters  of  Christian  men  and  women,  written  in  the  warmness  of 
their  hearts  to  friends  and  relatives  at  a  distance  ;  for  no  sooner  is 
a  sinner  brought  to   Christ,  than   his  first  thought  is  —  'I  will 
tell  my  relatives  and  friends  what  Christ   has  done  for  me.' 
The  convert  cannot  rest,  until  he  has  made  known   to  those  in 
whom  he  is  interested  the  Lord's  work  upon  him.      I  find  from 
the  report,  that  in  a   number  of  places  there  was  considerable 
excitement.     I  do  not  wonder  at  that,  Moderator.     When  men 
for  the  first  time  find  themselves  on  the  brink  of  hell,  with 
nothing  between  their  souls  and  perdition  but  the  frail,  fleeting 
breath  in  their  nostrils,  I  do  not  wonder  that  they  should  feel 
alarmed  and  excited  —  when  they  feel  themselves  for  the  first 
time  to  be  under  the  wrath  and  condemnation  of  a  righteous 
and  holy  God.     My  wonder  is,  that  there  is  not  more  excite- 
ment—  that  people  still  unconverted  can  hear  of  sin  and  hell, 
of  a  Saviour  and  heaven,  without  feelings  of  emotion.     Ah  ! 
that  excitement ;  people  are  afraid  of  it,  and  sometimes  it 
comes  with  a  mighty  power,  as   if  it  would  sweep  everything 
away  before  it ;  but  when  one  is  enabled  to  cast  himself  humbly 
upon  God,  and  to  enter  into  the  work  earnestly,  it  is  not  such  a 
formidable  thing  after  all.     Our  God  is  a  God  of  order  ;  and  if 
we  cast  ourselves  upon  his  strength,  and  take  counsel  of  Him, 
I  believe  He  will  enable  any  man  of  ordinary  prudence  and 
courage  to  guide  these  excited  meetings  for  his  glory,  and  for 
the  good  of  souls.     Then  1  am  very  glad  to  be  able  to  state, that, 
from  almost  all  the  reports  I    am    able    to    gather,   there  has 
been  a  great  change  in  the  manners  and  habits  of  the  people. 
Where  the  awakening  has  been  anything  like  general,  there 
has  been  upon  general  society  an  awe  and  restraint ;  and  I  find 
testimony  borne  by  employers  to  the  effects  that  have  been  pro- 
duced upon  their  workmen.     One  will  say,  if  you  doubt  the 
reality  of  the  revival,  *  Come  to "  my  workshop,  and  you  will 
see  what  it  is ;  if  you  knew  my  men  before,  come  and  see  what 
they  are  now,  and  you  will  see  that  something  has  been  at  work 


32  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

that  has  produced  a  most  salutary  change.^  The  police  reports, 
too,  are  exceedingly  favorable ;  the  chief  constable  of  one  of 
our  largest  counties,  which  includes  a  good  many  towns,  told 
me  that  there  is  a  diminution  of  considerably  more  than  one- 
third,  upon  all  that  class  of  crimes  including  violence,  &c.,  such 
as  assaults  and  disorderly  conduct.  Now  I  do  not  venture  to 
lay  down  any  rules  in  regard  to  this  great  movement.  I  remem- 
ber a  most  intelligent  Irish  Presbyterian  minister  saying,  that, 
when  the  north  of  Ireland  was  visited,  he  formed  his  plans  in 
anticipation  of  the  wished-for  revival  in  his  own  place.  But 
when  it  came  these  were  all  swept  away,  and  he  was  just 
forced  to  do  the  Lord's  work  in  the  Lord's  way.  I  believe, the 
only  rule  lies  in  the  two  great  commandments  — '  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,'  and  '  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself. '  God  will  carry  us  through  this 
and  nothing  else.  At  the  same  time,  there  is  much  room  for 
wisdom  and  prudence.  Much  may  be  done  by  any  loving- 
hearted  man,  blessed  with  a  fair  share  of  moral  courage,  if  he 
throw  himself  into  the  work.  I  can  never  forget  the  weighty 
words  uttered  by  a  member  of  this  house  —  Superintendance, 
Suggestion,  and  Substitution.  If  we  take  these  for  our  guide 
and  go  into  the  work  in  dependence  on  the  Spirit  of  God,  He 
will  enable  us  to  glorify  Him  and  benefit  the  souls  of  men. 
With  regard  to  young  converts,  when  they  go  and  state  quietly 
to  their  fellow-men  what  the  Lord  hath  done  for  them,  I  believe 
that  is  a  legitimate  employment  for  them.  I  do  not  think  it  a 
good  thing  for  them  to  be  Jong  employed  in  this  way,  however. 
When  one  of  them  has  stated  his  experience  in  a  few  meetings, 
it  would  be  wise  in  him  to  retire  and  cultivate  fresh  knowledge, 
and  learn  a  spirit  of  duty  to  God." 

An  American  divine,  in  the  midst  of  a  powerful 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit  recorded  in  this  volume, 
answered  the  objections  of  some  cautious  minds,  by 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  33 

a  communication  which  we  give  from  the  Christian 
Mirror : 

**  Will  you  kindly  insert  in  your  next  issue  the  following  re- 
marks of  Dr.  Chalmers?  They  are  found  in  the  New  York 
edition  of  his  sermons,  vol.  1  pp.  116,  117.  Although  we  are 
forbidden  to  call  any  man  Master  upon  earth,  there  are  some 
with  whom,  in  matters  of  religion,  human  names  have  great 
weight,  and  for  their  sakes  as  well  as  others  it  may  be  well  to 
give  publicity,  at  this  time,  to  these  observations. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

J.  J.  Carruthers. 

"  He  recently  observed,  in  dis- 
coursing on  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified, 
that  some  were  visited  with  an  alarming  sense  of  danger,  and 
were  long  kept  in  a  state  of  pain  and  perplexity, and  had  much 
of  disquietude  upon  their  spirits,  ere  they  found  their  way  to  a 
place  of  rest  or  a  place  of  enlargement.  *  *  But  we  further 
observed, that,though  this  was  frequent  in  the  history  of  con- 
versions, it  was  far  from  universal.  And  why  should  it  ?  There 
is  a  message  of  pardon  from  heaven  at  our  door,  and  its  very 
first  demand  upon  us  is, that  we  should  give  credit  thereto.  If 
any  one  claim  upon  us  be  preferable  to  another,  surely  it  is  the 
claim  of  Him  who  cannot  lie,  that  we  shall  believe  in  his  testi- 
mony. Are  we  to  hold  the  truth  of  God  in  abeyance,  aye,  and 
until  we  have  walked  some  round  of  mental  discipline  and  ex- 
perience, that  may  liken  the  history  of  our  transition  from 
darkness  to  light  to  that  of  some  fellow  mortal  who  has  gone 
before  us  ?  Are  we  to  postpone  our  faith  in  an  actual  report 
brought  to  us  from  the  upper  sanctuary,  till  we  have  brought 
the  frame  of  our  spirits  to  its  rigid  adjustment,  by  having 
travelled  over  a  course  of  certain  feelings  and  fluctuations  ? 

We  know  that  there  is  a  peace  where  there  is  no  peace; and, 
better  than  this  sleep  of  death,  were  the  disturbance  of  loud 


84  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

and  perpetual  alarm,  from  which  there  might  be  no  respite  to 
the  sinner,  till  forced  to  betake  himself  to  the  only  efiectual 
hiding-place.  But  better,  most  assuredly,  still,  that  you  saw 
the  hiding-place  to  be  open  now,  and  that, without  the  interval 
of  a  single  moment,  you  have  fled  for  refuge  there,  and  that  the 
Boul  had  no  sooner  broken  loose  from  the  tranquility  of  nature, 
than  it  instantly  fastened  on  the  anchor  of  hope  that  was  most 
sure  and  steadfast.  At  this  rate,  there  would  be  no  season  of 
intermediate  darkness.  Converts  would  experience  now  what 
was  oft  experienced  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles.  Their  belief 
would  instantly  come  in  the  train  of  the  gospel  testimony  — 
and  their  joy  would  instantly  come  in  the  train  of  their 
belief" 

It  needs  no  argument  to  prove  that  the  church  of 
Christ  occupies  a  place  in  her  march  of  conquest,  of 
peculiar  interest.  The  world  is  unsettled  as  never 
before,  theologically  and  politically.  Error  un- 
shackled is  abroad,  confronting,  in  its  most  daring 
and  subtle  forms,  "  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus." 
Governments  are  shaken,  and  lawlessness  grows  de- 
fiant on  every  hand.  God's  judgments  are  abroad, 
and  the  fragments  of  the  shaken  order  of  things  fill 
the  air.  But  comparatively  unemployed  and  unfelt, 
are  the  energies  of  His  dear  Zion.  A  writer  has 
well  said, "  she  is  two-fold  in  her  character, —  having 
under  the  one  visible  form,  the  church  of  the  world, 
and  within  that  circle  of  destructive  influence,  the 
Church  of  Christ."  Covetousness,  which  is  idolatry, 
has  hoarded  God's  silver  and  gold, —  ambition  has 
devoted  the  best  talent  and  highest  position  to 
flectarian  controversy,— pleasure-loving  has  taken  un- 


O*'   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  86 

der  Chriw«5tian  patronage,  amusements  and  frivolity, 
with  the  plea  of  cheerfulness,  which  have  paralyzed 
her  spiritual  strength,  and  practically  wiped  out  the 
line  of  separation  from  the  world.  Unbelief  and 
licentious  charity  have  disguised  and  modified  the 
evangelical  system  ;  in  other  words,  the  gospel  of 
the  Son  of  God,  as  it  fell  from  his  lips  armed  with 
the  retributive  sanctions  of  law,  and  melting  ap- 
peals of  the  cross.  Nor  has  she  been  true  to  liberty 
and  humanity.  We  know  that  these  statements 
have  a  limited  application ;  but  sin  must  be  felt,  and 
put  away  from  the  Church  of  Christ ;  then  in  the 
might  of  an  entire  consecration  to  her  Lord,  with 
wrestling  prayer,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  in  her 
hand,  will  she  become  "  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as 
the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners." 
Jehovah's  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he  will  thoroughly 
purge  the  floor.  And  it  is  fitting,  that  we,  who  bear 
His  name  who  has  declared  that  "judgment  must 
begin  at  the  house  of  God,"  should  inquire  of  him 
upon  our  knees  :  "  Who  may  abide  the  day  of  his 
coming,  and  who  shall  stand  when  he  appeareth  ?  " 

Oh  !  shall  the  hosts  of  God's  elect  dictate  to  the 
Spirit  of  God  when,  how,  and  by  whom  he  shall 
work  in  the  redemption  of  a  world  straining  on  its 
fetters,  and  sighing  for  deliverance  ? 

The  captives  in  material  chains,  and  the  slaves  of 
sin,  moving  in  a  great  caravan  to  the  shades  of  a 
mornles?  night,  must  stir  the  heart  of  the  church  to 


36  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

wrestle  and  to  labor,  as  never  before  since  time  be- 
gan. We  believe  they  will;  and  that  soon  her 
victories  will  attract  the  interest  of  the  nations,  as 
do  now  the  triumphs  of  the  crimson  field  of  martial 
combat. 

Forcibly  says  an  eminent  American  divine :  — 

*' The  time  is  coming,  when  his  successes  shall  be  reported 
with  more  than  the  rapidity  of  Napoleon's  victories  ;  when  the 
press  shall  teem  with  intelligence  of  Christian  movements  in 
the  world ;  when  the  steamer  shall  furrow  the  deep  to  speed 
the  tidings  of  His  power  ;  when  the  electric  wires  shall  thrill 
with  heavenly  life,  to  convey  from  city  to  city,  and  from  conti- 
nent to  continent,  the  news  of  revivals  of  religion,  and  of '  na- 
tions born  in  a  day.'  The  kingdom  of  Christ  is  yet  to  be  the 
one  thing  thought  of  in  the  world,  and  at  every  market,  in 
every  exchange,  in  every  bulletin  ;  at  the  street  corners  men 
shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  His  kingdom,  and  talk  of  His 
power  one  to  another,  making  known  His  mighty  acts,  and 
the  glorious  majesty  of  His  kingdom." 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mr.  Hammond's  Early  Home  and  Conversion — Unconscious  Prepsr 
ration  for  his  Work  during  his  course  of  Study  —  Sails  for  Europe 
—  Terrific  Scene  at  Sea  —  His  Providential  Introduction  to  the  la- 
bors of  an  Evangelist  —  The  awakening  iu  Musselboro' — Its  Re- 
sults. 

It  is  no  part  of  the  design  of  this  volume  to  write 
a  biography,  or  commend  to  popular  favor  by  di- 
rect approval,  or  to  defend  against  the  criticism 
and  prejudice  of  any,  the  name  around  which  neces- 
sarily gathers  much  of  the  human  interest  of  the 
narrative ;  but  to  give  to  the  public  whatever  will 
present,  in  a  clear  and  satisfactory  light,  the  work  of 
God,  as  promoted  by  the  labors  of  the  most  success- 
ful Evangelist,  in  this  country,  recently  before  the 
churches.  And  this  naturally  includes  some  notice 
of  the  early  history  and  training  of  God's  servant 
for  His  service. 

Edward  Payson  Hammond  was  born  in  Ellington, 
a  quiet  town  in  the  Valley  of  the  Connecticut,  Sept. 
let,  1831,  but  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Ver- 
non, Ct.  He  was  a  child  of  prayer,  consecrated 
to  God  by  parental  piety ;  especially  was  he  nurtur- 
ed with  holy  fidelity  under  the  wing  of  maternal 
love.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  attended  school 
p,t  Southington,  where  h^d  beeu  a  powerful  revival 


88  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

of  religion,  including  in  its  sweep  nearly  all  of  the 
youth  of  the  place. 

Mr.  Hammond,  in  his  addresses,  sometimes  refers 
to  the  story  of  his  conversion,  and  relates  it  thus : — 

"The  first  Sabbath  of  my  stay  in  Southington  was  the  com- 
tnunion.  This  was  held  between  the  services,  and  all  who  were 
not  Christians  were  in  the  -habit  of  going  out.  As  I  looked 
about,  it  seemed  that  all  my  friends  and  relatives,  and  new  ac- 
quaintances were  gathering  around  the  table  of  the  Lord. 
Among  the  few  who  passed  out  were  none  whom  I  knew. 

"  The  thought  of  the  judgment  day  flashed  across  my  troubled 
mind.  And  the  awful  scenes  of  that  final  separation  passed 
like  a  panorama  before  my  view.  On  returning  to  my  board- 
ing-place that  night,  a  lady  handed  me  James'  '  Anxious  In- 
quirer '  to  read.  I  glanced  my  eye  hastily  over  a  few  of  its 
pages,  but  thought  it  too  dry  a  book  for  me,  and  I  angrily 
threw  it  down.  But  this  did  not  extract  the  arrow  of  convic- 
tion that  had  pierced  my  heart.  I  felt  that  I  was  a  sinner, 
hastening  on  to  the  great  judgment  day  unprepared.  Little  did 
I  know  of  the  earnest  pleadings  that  were  daily  ascending  from 
a  mother's  fond  heart. 

*'  Day  by  day  my  convictions  deepened.  My  heart  rebelled 
against  God.  I  disputed  his  undivided  claim  to  my  heart.  I 
was  willing  to  give  a  portion  of  my  aflfections,  but  1  was  not 
ready  to  give  up  all  for  Jesus,  and  say, 

*'  Just  as  I  am, 
0  Lamb  of  God  I  come." 

and  thus, 

**  Against  the  God  that  built  the  sky, 
I  fought  with  hands  uplifted  high, 
Despised  the  mansions  of  his  grace, 
Too  proud  to  seek  a  hiding-place." 

"  Yes,  '  too  proud  '  to  come  as  a  lost,  guilty,  helpless,  hell- 
deserving  sinner  to  Jesus.     As  yet  '  ignorant  of  God's  right* 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  39 

eoueness  and  going  about  to  establish 'my 'own  righteousness/ 
(Rom.  X  :  3.  i  For  two  long  weeks  I  wept  and  prayed,  and  read 
my  Bible,  all  the  while  treading  '  under  foot  the  Son  of  God.' 
(Heb.  X  :  29.) 

**  Vindictive  justice  stood  in  view. 
To  Sinai's  fiery  mount  I  flew ; 
But  justice  cried,  with  frowning  face. 
This  mountain  is  no  hiding-place." 

•*  During  these  dark  days  I  read  '  James'  Anxious  Inquirer.' 
I  looked  upon  it  no  longer  as  a  '  destroyer  of  my  peace,'  but  as 
a  guide  to  happiness — to  Christ  and  heaven.  I  used  to  study  it 
by  the  hour  with  my  Bible,  looking  out  all  the  passages  re- 
ferred to.  I  thus  saw  more  and  more  of  my  awfully  deceitful 
and  polluted  heart. 

"  At  first,  it  was  thoughts  of  the  judgment  day^  and  the  sight 
of  the  wicked  going  away  into  everlasting  'punishment,  that 
alarmed  me  ;  but  afterwards  it  was  the  sight  of  myself  that 
alarmed  me  most. 

"  I  then  began  to  realize  that  reformation  was  not  enough, 
that  a  great,  an  entire,  a  radical  change  must  be  experienced  if 
I  would  enter  heaven. 

**  When  to  the  law  I  trembling  fled. 
It  poured  its  curses  on  my  head, 

I  no  relief  could  find ; 
This  fearful  truth  increased  roy  pain. 
The  sinner  must  be  born  again. 

And  whelm'd  my  tortured  mind.'* 

"  It  was  then  the  pit  of  sin  in  my  own  heart  alarmed  me  more 
than  the  pit  of  hell,  into  which  I  had  been  so  lately  gazing. 
The  desperate  enmity  of  my  guilt  before  God  I  began  to  realize. 
My  burden  seemed  heavier  than  I  could  bear.  But  another,  a 
third  sight  I  was  called  to  gaze  upon  which  pierced  my  soul  with 
a  new  and  keener  arrow,  —  Godly  sorrow.    I  was  led  by  the  Holy 

Spirit  to  look  on  Him  whom  my  sins  had  '  pierced,  and 

mourn.'  (Zach.  xii.  10.)  I  began  to  understand  those  words  in 
Acts  V.  31,  *  Him  hath  God  exalted  with  his  rigbt  hand  to  be 


40  THE    HARVEST   WORK 

a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  for  to  give  repentance.^  I  shall  never  for- 
get that  calm  Autumn  morning  when  I  fell  upon  my  knees  in  my 
little  closet  and  repeated  the  hymn  my  mother  had  taught  me. 

*'  Alas,  and  did  my  Saviour  bleed, 
And  did  my  sovereign  die  ? 
Would  He  devote  that  sacred  head 
For  such  a  worm  as  I  ? 

Was  it  for  crimes  that  I  had  done. 

He  groaned  upon  the  tree  ? 
Amazing  pity  !  grace  unknown, 

And  love  beyond  degree  ! ' ' 

"  It  was  then,  in  the  light  of  Calvary's  cross,  I  began  to  feel 
that  *  godly  sorrow  '  for  sin  that  '  worketh  repentance  to  sal- 
vation.' I  then  saw  that  God  '  might  be  just,  and  the  justifier 
of  him  which  believeth  in  Jesus,'  (Rom.  iii.  26,)  and  that  I  must 

"  Cast  my  deadly  doing  down, 
Down,  down  at  Jesus'  feet  ;  " 

and  with  tears  in  my  eyes  I  exclaimed,  in  the  words  of  the  last 
verse  of  the  hymn  which  I  was  repeating, 

**  But  drops  of  grief  can  ne*er  repay 
The  debt  of  love  I  owe. 
Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  away, 
'Tis  all  that  I  can  do.^^ 

"  It  was  then  the  blessed  Holy  Spirit,  that  had  so  long  teen 
striving  with  me,  took  of  the  things  of  Christ  and  showed  them 
unto  me — my  blind  eyes  were  opened.  I  saw  that  God  was 
satisfied  with  what  Christ  had  done  ;  that  Jesus  had  paid  the 
debt,  and  I  had  only  to  trust  him  for  it  all  —  and  I  could  sing 
with  all  my  heart, 

**  My  God  is  reconciled. 

His  pardoning  voice  I  hear. 
He  owns  me  for  his  chUd, 
I  can  no  longer  feoj.*' 


OF    THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  41 

•*  I  then  knew  the  meaning  of  the  promise  in  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26, 
•  A  new  heart,  also,  will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put 
within  you.' 

"  As  there  was  no  revival  at  the  time,  and  no  preaching  that 
I  remember  made  any  special  impression  on  my  mind,  I  can  but 
feel  that  my  conversion  was  the  direct  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  answer  to  the  wrestling,  agonizing  prayers  of  my  dear 
mother. 

"Some  of  the  'fruit  of  the  Spirit'  (Gal.  v.  22,)  were  at 
once  mine.     *  Love,  joy,  peace,'  filled  my  heart. 

"  1  remember  that  I  sat  down  at  once  and  wrote  mother  that 
I  had  '  found  Jesus.'  " 

He  subsequently  completed  his  preparation  for 
College  at  Phillips'  Academy,  Andover,  Mass. 
There,  as  wherever  he  went  after  his  conversion, 
God  blessed  his  faithfulness  to  the  conversion  of 
souls  in  the  Institution,  and  in  neighboring  villages  in 
which,  with  other  students,  he  established  meetings. 

He  entered  Williams  College  in  1854.  Without 
neglecting  his  studies,  as  his  instructors  testify,  he 
labored  earnestly  and  successfully  for  the  conversion 
of  his  classmates.  Among  them  was  Henry  Hop- 
kins, the  President's  son,  now  Chaplain  in  the  army, 
with  whom  he  attended  meetings  in  Pownal ; 
where  together  they  went  forth,  weeping,  "  bear- 
ing precious  seed,"  and  they  returned,  "  bringing  " 
their  "  sheaves  with  "  them.  The  little  company 
of  seven  or  eight  Christians  was  increased  to  a 
prosperous  church.  In  the  Spring  of  1855,  he 
went,  in  behalf  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union,  among  the  Alleghany  mountains,  and  plant- 
ed  several   Sunday   schools   during  his    vacation, 


42  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

which  iu  some  instances  proved  to  be  the  nucleus  of 
churches. 

Prof.  Chadbourne,  one  of  the  faculty  of  Williams, 
now  of  Bovvdoin  College,  thus  wrote,  toone  of  the  as- 
sociate Professors,  of  his  pupil,  after  his  return  from 
Europe.  We  quote  it,  because  it  meets  objections 
made  to  methods  of  labor  which  are  strongly  marked 
with  the  individuality  of  the  worker,  which  will  be 
farther  noticed  hereafter. 

*'  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  our  old  friend  and  pupil,  Mr. 
Hammond.  He  is  now  laboring  in  Bath,  and  I  think  it  must 
be  evident  to  all  that  the  blessing  of  God  attends  his  labors. 
He  came  to  me  last  week  to  lend  him  a  helping  hand,  as  he  is 
much  exhausted  with  his  continued  labors.  He  is  the  same  that 
he  was  when  a  student,  except  that  he  has  gained  wonderfully 
in  power ;  the  same  good  nature,  the  same  fervent  piety  and 
zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  He  is  not  like  other  men,  and  it 
is  folly  for  other  men,  to  judge  of  him  by  their  standards.  The 
only  true  test,  and  one  it  seems  to  me,  that  ought  to  satisfy 
every  one,  is,  the  great  blessing  that  accompanies  his  labors. 
Some  good  men  find  fault,  and  wonder  at  his  success,  and  think 
him  over  excited,  but  we  who  have  known  him  so  long,  know 
that  the  same  zeal  stirred  his  heart  when  a  Freshman  in 
College,  that  stirs  it  now.  God  is  making  good  his  promise, 
to  honor  those  that  honor  him.  His  success  is  wonderful,  be- 
cause God  gives  it  to  him !  And  before  I  dare  to  criticise,  I 
must  wait  till  I  find  a  style  of  labor  that  God  more  signally 
blesses.  I  gave  our  dear  brother  all  the  advice  I  dared  to  give, 
with  all  the  freedom  of  an  old  instructor  towards  his  pupil ; 
and  would  that  those,  who  are  now  my  pupils,  would  receive 
advice,  in  the  same  spirit  of  meekness  and  thankfulness.  But 
I  did  not  dare  advise  him  to  try  to  change  his  style  of  labor, 
nor  to  be  more  like  this  or  that  distinguished  minister,  because, 
among  all  the  names  that  are  precious  in  the  churches,  I  could 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  48 

think  of  no  one  whom  God  has  more  signally  blessed  in  turn- 
ing men  from  sin,  than  he  has  this  young  man,  how  three  years 
out  of  College.  And  while  I  rejoice  in  the  loyalty  and  bravery 
of  Col.  Gartield  and  others  of  our  old  pupils  who  are  fighting  the 
battles  of  our  beloved  country,  I  will  rather  rejoice  that  I  have 
been  a  teacher  of  this  valiant  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is 
doing  so  much  to  bring  back  this  whole  world,  from  its  re- 
bellion against  God;  and  in  this,  I  know  you  will  heartily  join 
me." 

He  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  along  with  an 
appointment  for  Commencement,  in  1858,  and  in 
1861  the  degree  of  A.  M. 

The  desire  and  intention  to  be  a  missionary  had 
been  cherished  by  the  young  disciple  ;  but  God 
otherwise  ordered  his  useful  life.  In  the  year  1858, 
he  became  a  student  in  Union  Theological  Semina- 
ry ,^New  York,  and  in  that  great  city,  continued  with 
unflagging  zeal  his  home  missionary  work  among 
the  destitute. 

Having  planned  a  trip  to  Europe,  he  sailed  in  the 
noble  ship  Edinburgh.  A  few  days  later,  the  vessel 
struck  an  iceberg,  and  startled  all  on  board  by  the 
shock.  We  quote  Mr.  Hammond's  description  of 
the  solemn  scenes  which  followed  : — 

"  At  first  we  rejoiced  with  trembling,  hoping  that  the  ship 
Lad  not  sprung  aleak.  The  pumps  were  sounded,  and  in  ten 
minutes  the  words,  "she  leaks!  "  rang  from  stem  to  stem. 
Numbers  fainted.  Some  were  soon  found  upon  their  knees, 
crying  for  mercy  ;  one,  who  had  a  little  before  been  scoffing  at 
prayer  and  God's  word. 

"  At  midnight,  during  the  fearful  storm  which  ensued,  when 
the   first  and  second  compartments  of  the  mighty  ship  were 


44  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

filled,  and  the  ship,  at  an  angle  of  45°,  was  every  moment  in 
danger  of  being  engulphed  with  the  mountain  waves,  when 
hope  had  fled,  and  the  impenetrable  darkness,  like  the  pall  of 
death,  enveloped  us,  as  I  was  hastening  along  the  deck,  amid 
the  pelting  rain,  to  my  work  at  the  pumps,  my  ear  was  startled 
as  the  bell  tolled  the  hour,  with  the  watchword,  "  All 's  well !  " 
Pour  times  it  echoed  along  the  sides  of  the  sinking  ship.  Bat 
not  a  voice  responded ,' Let  us  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry,  for 
'  ail 's  well ! ' '  for  all  knew  too  well  they  were  lying  words. 
Had  we  believed  these  words,  and  ceased  to  work  for  our  lives, 
in  one  hour's  time  none  would  have  been  left  to  tell  the  tale  of 
our  finding  a  watery  grave.  And  I  could  but  think  of  the  sin- 
ner's trusting  in  a  false  hope,  with  the  waters  of  sin  silently, 
yet  surely,  hour  by  hour,  engulphing  his  soul,  hastening  to  the 
*  father  of  lies,'  as  he  whispers  'all 's  well ! '  And  I  then  re- 
solved that  if  the  Lord  spared  my  life,  1  would  strive  more 
faithfully  to  obey  his  command,  '  Say  ye  to  the  righteous  that  it 
shall  be  well  with  him,^  •  woe  unto  the  wicked ;  it  shall  be  ill  with 
Mm.'    Isa.  iii.  10,  11. 

"  We  barely  reached  St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  the  next 
night,  at  dusk.  We  continued  to  bail  and  pump  to  the  last 
moment.  And  I  thought  of  those  solemn  words  (1  Peter  iv.  18) , 
'  And  if  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved,  where  shall  the  ungod- 
ly and  the  sinner  appear.'  The  experience  of  those  solemn 
hours,  when  near  going  into  eternity,  I  would  not  forget.  How 
earnest  our  united  prayers,  as  the  little  band  of  Christians  in- 
tuitively gathered  and  said  to  Jesus,  in  pleading  tones,  '  Master, 
carest  thou  not  that  we  perish?  '  Acts  iv.  38." 

A  poetical  description  of  the  perils  and  rescue, 
written  for  his  mother,  has  been  so  often  repeated 
by  Mr.  Hammond  as  a  very  affective  illustration, 
especially  the  cry,  "  all's  well !"  that  it  will  interest 
many  readers  ;  and  a  part  of  it  is  here  Jidded  to  the 
record  of  the  disaster, 


Ot  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  45 

"  A  nobler  ship  than  ours, 

Man's  eye  hath  seldom  seen, 
As  proud  amid  the  cannon's  roar 

She  sailed  with  queenly  mien. 
Our  hearts  with  hopes  beat  high, 

Of  joys  full  many  in  store. 
And  so  across  the  deep  we  hie. 

For  Scotland's  bonnie  shore. 

*  With  us  there  were  no  seers ; 

And  none  on  board  could  ken, 
When  blighted  hopes  would  change  to  fearB, 

Far  from  our  journey's  end  : 
So  o'er  the  restless  tide 

We  sped  with  joyous  glee. 
No  fears  that  aught  of  ill  betide  — 

Shadows  of  danger  flee ! 

**  Our  gallant  ship  bounds  on, 

Amid  the  flashing  spray, 
While  sparkling  rainbows  in  their  dance, 

Attend  us  on  our  way. 
So  on  the  sea  of  life. 

Do  th'  rainbow  words  of  love, 
Bedeck  the  worn  and  wounded  heart, 

With  a  beauty  from  above. 

"  The  sunlight  now  is  gone. 

And  we  are  left  in  gloom  ; 
The  blinding  fog  comes  on  anon  — 

Hope  still  bestows  its  boon. 
But  hark  !  what  means  that  shout 

From  th'  watchman  at  the  prow? 
As  wildly  now  he  shrieks  — "  A  Port !  '* 

See  terror  on  each  brow. 


46  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  Well  may  the  stoutest  shriek, 

And  cry  for  mercy  now  ; 
An  iceberg  of  the  Northern  deep 

Has  struck  our  noble  bow. 
Joy  first  lit  every  eye, 

As  towering  o'er  our  left, 
That  monster  grim  went  angry  by, 

As  of  his  prey  bereft. 

*♦  Soon  o'er  its  massive  form 

Was  cast  a  veil  of  mist, 
Thus  quickly  from  our  view  'twas  borne, 

As  wind  and  tide  might  list. 
But  hark,  with  loudest  skrieks, 

From  lip  to  lip  it  flew  ; 
Oh !  ho  !  our  ship  ;  she  leaks  !    she  leaks ! 

Ah !  then  was  terror  new ! 

"  All  eyes  then  to  the  boats 

With  anxious  looks  were  turned ; 
How  waned  our    fondly  cherished  hopes  ! 

What  thoughts  within  us  burned  ! 
The  bravest  were  appalled  — 

The  timid  stood  aghast  — 
As  if  by  winged  lightning  called, 

Grim  death  before  us  passed. 

«*  How  floods  the  mind  with  thought 

Of  loved  ones  o'er  the  main  ! 
How  deep  with  keenest  sorrow  fraught, 

Lest  ne'er  we  meet  again. 
But  orders  then  were  brought 

The  pumps  to  quickly  man. 
Then  with  the  raging  sea  we  fought, 

Like  warriors  in  the  van. 


Ot  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  47 

■'  For  many  a  weary  hour, 

We  toiled  with  all  our  might, 
While  orisons  arose  to  heaven. 

Midst  th'  darkness  of  the  night. 
Anon  our  faith  did  foil, 

As  flew  the  cry  '  she  gains,' 
And  many  cheeks  grew  ghastly  pale. 

Amid  the  drenching  rain. 

**  But  every  nerve  was  strained, 

Our  fifteen  score  to  save. 
For  o'er  our  hearts  cold  horror  reigned 

At  thought  of  wat'ry  grave. 
But  palsied  be  my  tongue. 

If  I  forget  to  praise. 
The  women  in  that  noble  band 

Who  toiled  our  hopes  to  raise. 

'*  For  in  that  darkness  drear, 

'Midst  wild  wind's  awful  shriek, 
Their  cheerful  voice,  we  loved  to  hear, 

Their  praises  then  we'll  speak. 
Our  prayers  at  length  were  heard, 

'Twas  a  brighter,  happier  hour, 
When  smiled  on  us  the  peaceful  sun, 

And  clouds  no  longer  lower. 

**  It  seemed  our  Father's  frown. 

Passed  with  the  gloom  away, 
We  freely  breathed,  and  praised  His  nam*' 

Whose  smile  around  us  lay. 
For  Oh,  at  his  command. 

Had  winds  increased  their  rage. 
Far  from  the  ocean's  beaten  strand, 

We  'd  sunk  beneath  the  wave. 


48  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

"  But  now  we  're  safe  in  port, 

By  no  unfriendly  shore  ; 
For  here  we  find/ree  hands,  warm  hearts  , 

We  ask  for  nothing  more. 
When  far  away  we  hie, 

Across  the  deep  blue  sea, 
Our  thoughts  will  hither  quickly  fly, 

With  faithful  memory." 

Spending  a  few  weeks  in  England  and  Scotland, 
Mr.  H.  went  to  Ireland  to  witness  and  enjoy  the 
wondrous  displays  of  divine  grace  on  that  Island. 

At  Ballymena,  he  addressed  large  audiences, 
triumphantly  vindicating  the  American  revivals 
from  the  charge  circulated  abroad  by  their  enemies, 
that  they  had  proved  a  failure.  We  take  the  fol- 
lowing passage  from  a  report  of  his  remarks  as  pub- 
lished in  one  of  the  papers  of  that  city. 

"  Since  coming  to  this  land  I  have  been  more  deeply  con- 
vinced than  ever  of  the  reality  of  the  existence  of  a  personal 
evil  spirit.  We  read  in  Job  of  a  *  day  when  the  sons  of  God 
came  to  present  themselves  before  the  Lord,  and  Satan  came 
also  among  them,'  And,  from  what  I  have,  with  perfect  as- 
tonishment, heard  this  day,  I  find  that,  as  the  sons  of  God  here 
have  gathered  together  Satan  also  has  come  among  them.  And 
I  find,  too,  that  he  often  pursues  the  sames  course  with  nations 
and  communities  as  with  individuals.  We  all  know  the  awful 
struggle  he  has  with  those  who  are  striving  to  escape  from  his 
power  to  the  arms  of  Jesus.  But  when,  at  last,  the  *  evil  spirit 
is  cast  out  of  a  man,'  he  does  not  entirely  quit  the  field,  but  is 
ever  on  the  alert,  either  to  regain  the  mastery,  or  to  destroy 
the  influence  of  the  on©  who  has  now  become  his  enemy.  And, 
if  he  find  the  life  blameless,  he  still  has  a  great  calumny  to 


OF   THE   HOLY    8P1BIT.  49 

whisper  in  the  ears  of  the  unbeliever.  He  then  impugns  hia 
motives.  He  asks — 'does  Job  fear  God  for  naught?  '  Now  this 
faintly  illustrates  the  movement  of  the  great  arch-enemy  of  man 
with  regard  to  America.  "When  he  found  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands all  over  the  land  escaping  from  his  grievous  bondage,  and 
declaring  themselves  no  longer  the  *  servants  of  sin,'  but  free 
men  in  Christ  Jesus,  he,  with  all  his  allies,  were  sorely  trou- 
bled ;  and  they  looked  about  them  to  contrive  some  means  to 
destroy  the  influence  of  this  great  movement,  that  *  it  spread  no 
further  among  the  people.'  They  were  not  long  in  concluding 
that  their  old  policy  was  the  most  expedient ;  and  so  the 
motives  of  God-'^earing  men  were  maligned  —  the  inconsisten- 
cies of  young  converts  were  closely  watched,  and  greatly  magni- 
fied ;  and  those  cases  where  the  '  good  seed  '  chanced  to  fall  '  Mv 
the  wayside,'  or  '  among  thorns,'  or  upon  '  stony  ground,'  wer* 
eagerly  sought  out ;  but  those  where  it  brought  form  •  au 
hundred  fold  '  were  passed  by  as  not  answering  the  desired  pur- 
pose. He  strove  to  make  wicked  men  with  us  believe  that  it 
was  all  excitement,  and  would  soon  pass  away ;  and  when  the 
Spirit  of  God  with  its  mighty  convicting  and  converting  power, 
in  its  progress  from  west  to  east,  came  among  you,  Satan  was  not 
long  in  finding  out  his  friends  here,  who  were  ready  to  spread 
abroad  the  report  that  the  '  Revival  in  America  is  a  failure.' 
But  I  am  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  stand  up  here  to  assert 
that  this  is  but  another  of  the  fabrications  of  the  great '  Father 
of  lies.'  He  was  a  liar  from  the  beginning  ;  and  the  more  we 
know  of  him  leads  us  to  believe  that  he  will  never  change  for 
the  better  in  this  respect.  The  Revival  is  not  a  failure,  but  a 
glorious  triumph  over  the  powers  of  darkness.  You  have  only  to 
read  the  books  that  have  been  published  in  America  giving  re- 
liable accounts  of  the  glorious  results  of  the  work,  to  be  con- 
vinced that  the  Revival  is  anything  but  a  failure.  No  doubt 
there  have  been  cases  where  persons  have  been  deceived  in  re- 
gard to  the  ground  of  their  hope  ;  some  whose  •  hands  Satan 
has  cut  oft;'     Here  Mr.  H.  told  of  two  men  who  were  speaking 


60  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

together  of  the  evidence  of  their  hope.  The  first  said  he  should 
be  saved,  for  he  had  hold  of  Christ.  '  Ah  !  but  what  will  you 
do,'  said  the  second,  '  if  the  devil  cut  your  hands  o^?  '  '  What 
then,'  asked  the  first,  '  is  your  hope  ?  '  '  My  hope,'  said  he, 
*iB  that  Christ  has  hold  of  wie.'  So,  continued  Mr.  H.,  no 
doubt  some  were  deceived  in  trusting  too  much  to  their  own 
efforts,  and  not  relying  entirely  upon  Christ  for  salvation.  But 
I  must  say  that  few,  if  any,  cases  of  backsliding  have  come  un- 
der my  own  observation.  He  would  not  number  among  these 
cases  those  who  were  convinced  of  their  lost  condition,  but 
were  unwilling  to  trust  in  Jesus  as  their  only  Saviour.  Such 
there  were,  and  always  have  been.  Mr.  H.  spoke  of  the  effects 
of  the  work  being  the  same  there  as  exhibited  here.  The  con- 
verts manifested  the  same  love  for  Christ,  and  the  same  earnest 
desire  to  engage  in  his  cause.  Ministers  of  different  denomina- 
tions were  seen  there  as  here  to-day,  upon  the  same  platform. 
The  causes,  he  believed,  too,  were  the  same  —  namely,  the 
Spirit  of  God  through  the  '  Word  '  operating  with  Divine 
power  upon  the  heart.  The  phenomena  manifested  as  the  re- 
sult of  such  agency  were  different,  but  the  ultimate  effects  were 
the  same.  With  us  the  parties  affected  rose  up  when  oppressed 
with  the  burden  of  guilt,  and  asked  Christians  to  pray  that  it 
might  be  removed.  With  you  they  are  often  stricken  to  the 
ground,  like  Saul  on  his  way  to  Damascus ;  and  I  have  seen 
cases  in  your  midst  as  marvellous  to  me  as  the  conversion  of 
Saul.  Mr.  H.  then  spoke  of  prayer  as  being  the  chief  instru- 
ment, on  the  part  of  Christians,  in  calling  down  the  blessing  of 
heaven — dwelling  at  some  length  upon  the  power  of  prayer  and 
encouragement  to  honor  God  by  asking  great  things  of  him." 

The  two  weeks'  experience  in  Ireland  were  a 
fresh  preparation  and  impulse  in  the  life-work  of 
saving  souls.  Returning  to  Scotland  after  a  tour  on 
the  Continent,  Mr.  Hammond  failed  to  receive  re- 


OF   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  51 

mittajices  from  America,  and  was  disappointed  in 
his  expectation  of  sailing  for  his  native  land.  Un- 
expectedly God's  kind  Providence,  opened  the  way 
for  resuming  and  prosecuting  his  Theological 
studies  in  the  Free  Church  College,  in  Edinburgh, 
Extracts  from  his  letters  and  remarks  by  Dr. 
Alexander,  will  give  the  interesting  facts  of  his 
introduction  to  evangelistic  labors  in  Scotland 
Mr.  H.  writes  ; 

"  For  a  few  weeks  I  devoted  myself  entirely  to  intellectual 
pursuits,  and  1  found  the  literary  atmosphere  of  Edinburgh  very 
congenial.  But  after  all  my  conscience  reproved  me  for  doing 
nothing  for  Jesus.  I  felt  that  I  might  at  least  teach  a  Sunday 
School  class,  or  something  of  the  kind,  or  perhaps  supply  some 
pulpit  on  the  Sabbath,  as  I  had  done  while  in  New  York.  1 
called  on  two  or  three  of  the  Free  Church  ministers,  but  they 
knew  of  no  opening. 

"  Dr.  W.  L.  Alexander,  the  leading  minister  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Scotland,   spoke  of  a  forlorn  hope  in  Mussel 
burgh,  six  miles  from  Edinburgh." 

Mr.  H.  went  to  M.  We  select  the  following 
testimony  to  the  genuineness  and  power  of  the  work 
in  Musselburgh,  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Reid,  Editor  of  the  British  Herald. 

Dr.  Alexander,  on  several  public  occasions,  made 
similar  emphatic  remarks. 

"  I  think  no  impartial  and  grateful  person  will  say  that  the 
soil  in  Musselburgh  has  been  one  favorable  to  the  growth  of  a 
vital  spiritual  piety.  The  indiflference  of  the  people  to  religion, 
and  immobility  under  the  most  earnest  preaching  of  the  Gospel 


52  THE    HARVEST   WORK 

seemed  to  come  out  more  strikingly  as  a  characteristic  of  the  place 
than  in  other  towns.  Such  at  least  had  been  for  a  long  time  the 
impression  on  my  mind,  and  therefore  it  was  with  mingled  joy 
and  wonder,  that  I  heard  of  the  interest  that  had  been  awakened 
there  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  When  I  heard  of  and  saw 
crowded  gatherings  of  people  evening  after  evening  during  the 
week,  assembled  to  hear  plain,  earnest,  and  faithful  addresses  on 
the  concerns  of  their  soul ;  when  I  saw  the  deep,  unmistakable 
earnestness  of  groups  of  inquirers  ;  when  I  listened  to  the  sobs 
and  ories  of  men  and  women  —  some  of  them  as  unlikely  to  be 
moved  to  such  displays  of  emotion  as  can  be  well  conceived  ; 
when  I  found  that  night  after  night,  the  work  of  conversion 
was  apparently  going  forward ;  and  many  who  had  been  not 
only  careless  but  profligate  were  giving  evidence  of  being  born 
again ;  and  when  I  heard  of  large  meetings  during  the  day,  and 
numerously  attended  meetings  in  the  street  for  religious  pur- 
poses, I  felt  that  indeed  new  and  strange  things  had  come  to 
pass  ;  and  I  could  only  bow  my  head  and  say,  '  It  is  the  doing 
of  the  Lord  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes.' 

"  Besides  the  general  interest  which  the  movement  as  a 
quickening  to  spiritual  life  and  earnestness,  of  a  torpid  and  life- 
less community  presents,  there  are  many  special  features  of  in- 
terest arising  from  individual  cases. 

"  I  will  only  add  that  the  work  seems  still  to  be  going  on  ;  and 
I  would  earnestly  entreat  the  prayers  of  all  the  people  of  God, 
into  whose  hands  these  details  may  come,  on  behalf  of  the  work 
itself — on  behalf  of  those  who  have  been  impressed,  and  those 
who  have  been  brought  to  Christ,  and  on  behalf  of  those  who 
are  carrying  on  the  labors  by  which  God  is  reviving  his  cause 
there,  especially  Mr.  Hammond,  whose  labors  have  been  most 
abundant,  and  to  whose  zeal,  tact,  perseverance  and  great  self- 
denial  the  whole  that  has  been  accomplished,  is,  under  God, 
mainly  due.  He  came  among  us  an  unknown  stranger  from  a 
distant  land,  though  bringing  with  him  credentials  of  the  most 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  63 

^tisfactory  kind.     He  will  return  to  his  own  land  when  hie 

work  here  is  finished,  bearing  with  him  the  love  and  confidence 

of  all  who  have  made  his  acquaintance,  and  leaving  his  name 

embalmed  in  the  grateful  recollections  of  many  who  shall  praise 

God  through  eternity  that  ever  his  feet  were  directed  to  the 

shores  of  Scotland. 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 

Yours  in  Christian  bonds, 

W.  Lindsay  Alexander. 

In  the  Scottish  Congregational  Magazine,  for 
May,  1860,  we  find  a  very  interesting  report  of  the 
anniversary  meetings  of  the  Congregational  Union 
of  Scotland,  at  Glasgow,  during  which  ct  conven- 
tion was  held  in  the  City  Hall,  to  hear  addresses  on 
the  great  revival  then  in  progress.  It  was  Mr. 
Hammond's  public  introduction  to  his  work.  A 
large  audience  was  present.  Ralph  Wardlaw.,  Esq., 
presided ;  and  after  speeches  by  Rev.  Mr,  Cox,  of 
Edinburgh,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Nichol,  of  Rhynie,  Rev. 
W.  L.  Alexander,  D.  D.,  of  Edinburgh,  was  next 
introduced  to  the  meeting.     He  said ; 

"  Christian  friends,  the  duty  which  I  have  to  discharge  on 
the  present  occasion  is  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  will  be  very 
quickly  discharged.  I  have  simply  to  introduce  to  the  meeting 
a  very  much  esteemed  brother,  who  is  a  stranger  among  us  ; 
who  has  come  to  us  from  a  far  distant  country,  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God ;  who  has  been  honored  to  do  a  very  great  and 
important  work  in  connexion  with  one  of  our  churches  ;  and 
who,  at  my  suggestion  and  request,  (which  was  cordially  met 
by  the  local  committee,)  has  come  through  to  give  us  some  ac- 
count of  the  work  of  the  I/)rd  in  which  he  has  been  an  instru- 


54  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

ment  in  that  place.  In  introducing  my  friend,  Mr.  Hammond, 
to  the  meeting,  I  may  say,  in  the  first  place,  that  I  look  upon 
his  visit  to  this  country  and  his  residence  in  Edinburgh,  as  en- 
tirely Providential.  He  has  been  brought  to  us  without,  in  the 
first  instance,  intending  to  come  to  us.  He  was  employed  in 
New  York  very  actively  during  the  revival  there  ;  and  about 
twelve  months  ago  it  was  thought  desirable,  that  he  should  take 
a  voyage  to  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  When  he  left  home,  his 
intention  was  simply  to  visit  this  country  and  return ;  but  cir- 
cumstances induced  him  to  spend  the  winter  in  Edinburgh  as  a 
student  of  theology.  It  was  about  the  beginning  of  last  winter 
that  he  made  himself  known  to  me.  In  the  meantime,  the 
brethren  at  Musselburgh,  feeling  that  they  had  no  arm  of  flesh 
to  trust  to,  had  been  thrown  very  much  upon  earnest  supplica- 
tion that  God  would  mercifully  appear  on  their  behalf.  Just 
at  this  crisis,  one  day  Mr.  Hammond  called  upon  me,  and  he 
said  to  me  — '  Now  that  I  am  engaged  with  my  studies  here, 
that  is  my  chief  business  ;  but  I  feel  as  if  it  would  be  necessary 
for  my  soul  that  I  should  be  engaged  in  some  kind  of  evan- 
gelistic work.'  He  had  hardly  uttered  the  words  when  the 
thought  rushed  across  my  mind  —  '  Here  is  a  man  sent  to  me 
for  Musselburgh.'  I  suggested  to  him  that  there  was  a  place 
which  had  occupied  my  thoughts  for  some  time  back,  and  that 
if  he  would  go  down  on  Sabbath  day  and  preach  to  them,  I 
thought  he  might  revive  their  hearts,  or,  at  any  rate,  keep  the 
place  open.     He  consented  at  once. 

*'  What  I  am  about  to  state  has  been  found  interesting  to 
Christian  people  in  other  places,  and  have  no  doubt  will  be 
found  interesting  to  every  Christian  present  this  evening.  I 
will  give  expression  to  one  or  two  feelings  that  have  been  ex- 
cited in  my  mind  with  regard  to  the  Musselburgh  meeting. 
The  first  thing  that  struck  me  in  going  out  there  was  the  in- 
creased number  of  attendants.  I  went  out  upon  a  week 
evening  and  preached  in  a  place  where  I  hardly  ever  saw  a  full 


OF    THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  ^^ 

house  upon  a  Sabbath  day,  and  I  found  myself  called  upon  to 
address  a  congregation   that  crowded   the  place   from  wall   to 
wall,  and  even  filled  up  the  steps  leading  to  the  pulpit.     That 
struck  me  as  very  remarkable.      It   immediately  satisfied  my 
mind  that  some  very  great  work  was  going  on  there.      Another 
thing  that  struck  me  very  much  was  the  multitude  of  young 
persons  —  of  children,   who   were   in    the  meeting,   and  who 
seemed  interested  in  the  work  that  was  going  on  then  and  there. 
I  may  mention  that  before  going  into  the  meeting,  I  had  been 
in  the  vestry,  which  I  found  quite  fall  of  children.     Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  he  must  allow  me  to  say  I 
was  struck,  and  it  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  heard  him  speak, 
with  the  few  words  he  said  to  the  children  and  with  the  way  in 
which  he  adapted  himself  to  them.     I  found  he  talked  as  well 
to  their  understanding  as  to  their  hearts  with  great  facility, 
and  he  showed  that  he  possessed  what  I  think  a  very  happy 
quality,  inasmuch  as  I  do  not  possess  it  in  the  least  myself,  — 
when  he  did  not  seem  to  interest  them  so  much  by  talking  to 
them,  he  began  to  sing  to  them,  and  they  joined  at  once  in  the 
song.     I  was  struck,  further,  after  I  had  been  preaching,  on 
going  into  the  vestry,  with  the  number  of  young  lads,  ragged- 
looking  collier  lads,  fisher  lads,  and  that  class  of  young  men 
who,  from  my  knowledge  of  Musselburgh,  seemed  to  me  really 
almost  beyond  the  reach  of  evangelistic  efibrts  —  I  had  a  sort 
of  feeling  that  they  were  a  hopeless  class  altogether.     There 
they  were,  however,  in  the  room,  listening  with  the  greatest 
attention.     When   I  went  in   they  were   engaged   in   singing. 
After  they  were  done  singing,  the  whole  company  went  dovni 
on  their  knees.     They  had  been  accustomed  to  do  so  in  prayer ; 
and  that  was  part  of  Mr.  Hammond's  system,  I  was  going  to 
say  tactics.     One  of  the  party  engaged  in  prayer.     I  looked  at 
the  man.     I  know  him  well  enough  ;  I  knew  him  of  old.     He 
was  a  man  who  was  pretty  well  known  in  the  town  as  a  very 
tough  character  indeed,  and  he  still  retains  upon  his  outward 


66  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

appearance  something  of  his  original  roughness.  His  prayer 
was  very  short ;  I  don't  think  it  lasted  for  three  minutes.  It 
was  the  prayer  of  a  man  who  had  never  been  taught  by  any 
human  being  to  pray.  There  was  not  a  single  expression  in  his 
prayer  that  we  are  accustomed  to  hear  in  prayers.  He  had  evi- 
dently been  taught  by  his  own  meditation,  and  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  to  pray.  Some  of  his  expressions  were  very  striking.  I 
do  not  know  that  I  ever  felt  so  touched  by  a  prayer  as  I  was 
by  that,  though  it  was  so  short  and  simple.  It  was  very  strik- 
ing, coming  from  a  person  who  had  never  learned  to  pray  ;  in- 
deed, whose  only  approximation  to  a  prayer  before  probably 
was  taking  his  Maker's  name  in  vain.  Allow  me  to  mention 
also  what  struck  me  very  much  —  the  work  among  the  chil- 
dren. I  confess  I  had  something  of  the  unbelieving  state  of 
mind  upon  that  subject  to  which  reference  has  been  made. 
Having  never  come  in  contact  myself  with  anything  of  the 
kind,  I  frankly  confess  I  had  not  just  the  same  cordial  belief  in 
the  conversion  of  very  young  children  as  I  have  now.  I  happen- 
ed, when  I  was  out  there  one  evening,  to  leave  my  great-coat  in 
one  of  the  small  vestries,  and  feeling  the  night  air  a  little 
chilly  I  thought  I  would  put  it  on.  When  I  went  to  the  vestry 
door  I  found  it  bolted.  I  was  going  to  retire,  when  the  door 
opened,  and  a  very  little  girl  appeared.  I  asked  if  there  was 
anybody  in?  She  said  — *  Yes,  Sir.'  Whispering,  I  said  — 
« I  was  going  in  for  my  great-coat,  but  I  will  not  disturb  you  ; 
but  who  is  it  ? '  She  said  —  *  A  wheen  o'  us  lassies. '  I  said  — 
*  I  will  not  go  in  then  ;  could  you  get  me  my  coat?  '  She  said 
— '  It's  here.  Sir,  but  I  canna  get  up  to't.'  I  was  going  away 
when  she  said  —  'You  might  come  in.'  So  I  went  in,  and 
there  I  found  some  six  or  eight  —  I  forget  exactly  how  many  — 
little  girls  like  herself  upon  their  knees,  and  one  of  them  was 
engaged  in  prayer  when  I  stepped  in.  Whether  she  had  over- 
heard us  talking  at  the  door,  or  supposed  that  some  person 
had  come  in,  I  don't  know,  but  her  voice  faltered,  and  she  con- 


OF   THE   HOLT    SPIRIT.  57 

eluded  very  quickly.  I  hardly  heard  her ;  but  immediately 
she  had  concluded,  another  girl  began  to  pray  without  their 
rising  from  their  knees,  and  a  very  simple,  very  child-like,  but 
very  beautiful  prayer  it  was.  I  stood  listening  to  that  child's 
prayer,  and  the  tears  rushed  down  my  cheeks  as  I  listened  ;  I 
could  not  help  it,  because  I  felt  that  I  was  reproved,  that  I  had 
doubted  the  work  of  God  in  that  particular,  and  now  He  had 
brought  me  face  to  face  with  the  work  itself.  After  she  had 
concluded  her  little,  short  prayer,  they  rose  up,  and  very  abash- 
ed the  poor  little  things  looked  when  they  saw  I  was  standing 
in  the  midst  of  them.  I  began  to  talk  to  this  little  girl  who 
had  been  engaged  in  prayer,  and  I  said  to  her  after  I  had  re- 
assured her  a  little  — '  Well,  now,  I  heard  you  thanking  God 
for  pardoning  your  sins,  and  for  the  peace  of  mind  you  have ; 
I  suppose  you  feel  that  you  have  been  converted  ?  '  And  she 
saia  —  'Yes,  Sir,'  with  great  quietness  and  great  assurance  of 
mind.  I  said  — '  Now,  how  did  that  come  to  pass?  you  didn't 
always  think  of  these  things.'  '  Oh  no!  '  she  said,  'I  never 
cared  about  these  things  at  all.'  '  Well,'  I  said,  'just  tell  me 
how  it  came  to  pass  that  you  did  come  to  care  about  them.' 
She  said  —  'I  came  to  the  meetings,  and  attended  them  for  a 
while,  but  I  did  not  care  much  about  what  was  going  on.  One 
night  I  went  with  some  others  into  a  room.  There  were  a  good 
many  women  there,  and  some  of  them  were  greetin'  about 
their  sins  ;  and  a  lady  was  present  who  spoke  to  them  and  told 
them  about  their  sins,  and  told  them  how  they  were  to  get 
pardon  of  their  sins ;  and,'  she  added  in  her  simple  sort  of  way 
—  *  the  thought  just  came  into  my  mind  that  I  was  a  sinner 
too.'  I  said  —  'And  did  you  go  away  with  that  thought?' 
*  Yes,'  she  replied.  I  said  — '  Did  that  grieve  you?  '  Look- 
ing up  in  my  face  with  a  most  earnest  and  striking  expression, 
she  said  —  'Eh,  Sir,  I  was  in  an  awfu'  way  !  '  In  this  state  she 
continued,  she  said,  for  a  good  while.  I  asked  — '  How  did 
you  find  peace  of  mind  ?  '     *  Oh,  Sir,'  she  said,  *  It  was  some- 


58  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

thing  that  Mr.  Hammond  said  when  he  was  preaching.'  I  ask 
ed  —  *  What  gave  you  peace  of  mind  ?  '  Turning  on  me  again 
the  same  intense  and  earnest  look,  she  exclaimed — *  Oh  there 
is  nothing  lan  give  peace  of  mind  to  the  sinner  but  the  blood 
that  was  shed  on  Calvary.'  Now,  I  just  put  it  to  any  experi- 
enced minister  whether  a  statement  like  that  does  not  show  that 
this  child  knows  the  way  of  salvation,  and  affords  evidence  of 
having  experienced  the  grace  of  God  in  truth.  For  my  own 
part  all  my  doubts  and  unbelieving  suspicions  were  gone.  I 
may  just  mention  that,  as  this  talk  was  going  on,  there  was  a 
little  boy  in  the  corner  of  the  room  —  so  little  a  fellow  that  he 
had  just  emerged  from  the  condition  of  petticoats,  and  had 
not  reached  the  dignity  of  a  jacket ;  his  whole  costume  being 
in  one  piece  from  his  neck  to  his  heels.  He  was  standing  in  the 
corner  of  the  room,  and  sobbing  very  hard.  The  only  idea  that 
came  into  my  mind  was  that  the  little  fellow  was  sleepy,  and 
that  he  wanted  to  go  away  home  as  it  was  now  about  ten 
o'clock.  I  said  to  one  of  the  girls  that  he  was  wearied,  and 
that  some  one  had  better  take  him  home.  She  said  — '  Oh  no. 
Sir,  he  is  not  wearied;  he  is  crying  for  his  sins.'  I  went  to 
the  little  fellow  and  I  spoke  to  him  ;  however,  he  was  really 
past  speaking  to.  He  was  in  a  state  of  great  distress  what- 
•ever  was  the  cau«e.  I  said  to  one  of  the  girls  —  'Perhaps 
you  could  speak  to  him  better  than  I  could  ; '  and  she  said  to 
me  —  *  Well,  yes,  Sir,  1  will  speak  to  him,  but  he  does  not  be- 
long to  this  place.'  I  said  —  'Indeed.'  '  No,'  she  said,  '  puir 
fallow,  he  has  walked  all  the  way  frae  Prestonpans  to-night.' 
Now  this  was  a  dark  wintry  night,  and  yet  this  little  creature 
bid  walked  by  himself  about  four  miles  to  get  to  the  meet- 
ing. I  asked  about  him  the  last  time  I  was  out.  This  little 
girl  told  me  that  she  believed  he  was  going  on  in  the  right 
way,  but  that  he  did  not  come  to  Musselburgh  now  as  there 
was  a  revival  in  Cockenzie  in  his  own  neighborhood.  This 
was  a  very  striking  instance  to  me,  and   I  was  struck  also 


OF   THE   HOLT    SPIRIT.  69 

with  the  man  festation  of  a  kindly  interest  in  him  on  the 
part  of  hie  juvenile  companions.  I  said  — '  This  poor  little 
fellow  cannot  go  home  at  this  time  of  night.'  '  Oh,'  says  one 
little  girl.  '  I'll  no  let  him  gang  hame  ;  I'll  tak'  him  hame  wi' 
me.'  This  struck  me  as  like  the  time  of  the  beginning  of  the 
gospel  at  Jerusalem,  when  they  had  all  things  in  common, 
and  every  man  received  into  his  house  those  from  a  distance 
who  were  converted  to  the  truth.  Mr.  Hammond  has  referred 
to  some  who  went  down  to  Musselburgh  from  Edinburgh. 
One  servant  girl  went  down,  and  she  got  into  conversation 
with  one  of  those  little  girls,  or  the  little  girl  got  into  con- 
versation with  her,  —  I  don't  know  which  —  and  the  little 
girl  began  to  preach  Christ  to  her  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners, 
to  the  utter  amazement  and  astonishment  of  this  grown-up 
woman.  She  said  to  her,  "  Lassie,  v^here  did  you  learn 
this? '  After  a  little  virhile  the  little  girl,  to  her  still  further 
astonishment,  said  —  "If  you  will  kneel  down,  I  will  pray 
with  you.'  And  to  use  the  woman's  own  words  *  she  just 
drappit  doun  on  her  knees  and  I  couldna  but  gang  doun 
too."  And  the  little  girl  prayed;  and  the  woman,  strongly 
moved,  when  they  rose  up,  exclaimed,  '  Lassie,  wha  evei 
learned  you  to  pray?'  The  child's  answer  was  — '  Naebody 
learned  me;  I  think  the  Lord  just  pits't  into  me.'  That 
was  the  means  of  that  woman's  conversion ;  she  is  now  one 
who  gives  evidence  of  being  really  converted." 

We  introduce  a  few  of  the  remarks  of  Mr.  H.  in 
reply,  because  they  reveal  facts  of  interest. 

"  He  said  that, when  he  first  commenced  his  labors  amongst 
the  people  at  Musselburgh,  they  were  very  few  in  number.  He 
found  also  that  the  great  mass  of  the  people  in  the  neighbor- 
hood were  not  church-going  people,  and  though  they  were 
ready  to  promise  to  attend  the  church,  they  were  too  ready  to 
break  their  promises.     At  last  a  few  began  to  come  out.     One 


60  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

night  a  mother  came  to  him  and  asked  him  to  speak  with  her 
eon,  as  he  seemed  to  be  very  anxious  about  his  soul.  Night 
after  night  inquirers  came  in  crowds,  for  a  while  there  were  few 
to  assist  in  pointing  inquirers  to  Christ.  Some  people  came  out 
of  curiosity,  and  many  Christian  men  of  various  denominations, 
who  came  '  to  see,'  remained  to  pray,  and  help  on  the  good 
work.  The  Provost  of  the  town,  and  prominent  members  of 
the  various  churches,  felt  that  it  was  their  common  cause.  The 
nightly  meetings  had  been  kept  up  for  eight  weeks,  and  the 
church  had  been  generally  well  filled,  and  sometimes  crowded- 
A  number  of  people  had  come  from  a  distance  to  attend  the 
meetings.  A  most  respectable  lady,  at  a  place  thirty  miles 
distant,  had  heard  of  the  work  at  Musselburgh  ;  and,  without 
knowing  an  individual  in  the  place,  she  came  and  took  lodgings 
that  she  might  attend  the  meetings.  A  request  was  sent  in, 
stating  that  she  had  come  so  far  that  she  might  know  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus.  For  a  number  of  days  she  was  in  deep  dis- 
tress of  mind  ;  but  in  the  course  of  a  week  she  began  to  have 
hope  ;  and  she  had  since  written,  stating  she  was  now  happy, 
and  striving  to  do  something  for  Christ  amongst  her  neighbors. 
It  had  been  delightful  to  see  men  of  all  denominations  coming 
up  to  assist  in  this  good  work  of  the  Lord,  It  was  truly  re- 
freshing to  get  letters,  from  those  unknown  before,  offering  to 
come  and  preach  the  Word  of  Life  to  those  anxious  to  know 
what  they  must  do  to  be  saved ;  and  Dr.  Cunningham  and 
Prof.  Smeaton,  with  whose  advice  he  had  undertaken  the  work, 
had  manifested  much  interest  in  the  movement.  It  was  de- 
lightful to  see  so  many  from  different  wings  of  the  bannered 
hosts  of  the  Lord  coming  up  to  battle  against  the  powers  of 
darkness.  In  these  revival  times  the  followers  of  our  great 
Captain  cease  to  look  with  an  evil  eye  upon  those  wearing  dif- 
ferent regimentals,  and,  with  their  faces  fixed  upon  the  banner 
of  the  cross,  press  forward  to  the  victory.  Mr.  H.  referred  to 
the  necess'ty  of  the  meetings  sometimes  being  kept  till  late. 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  61 

Every  soldier  in  Edinburgh  Castle  during  a  time  of  peace  is 
expected  to  l)e  within  the  gates  before  a  given  hour  ;  but  let  an 
enemy  invade  the  land,  old  rules  are  then  set  aside,  and  no 
thought  is  taken  of  the  winged  hours,  not  even  if  the  whole 
night  is  spent  in  the  conflict.  '  This,'  said  he,  *  is  a  time  of 
invasion.  The  Holy  Spirit  has  in  many  places  been  graciously 
poured  out.  The  minions  of  darkness  are  alarmed  and  martial- 
ed  in  battle  array  ;  and  now  is  the  time,  calmly,  yet  fearlessly, 
and  trusting  in  Him  whose  right  arm  alone  can  gain  the  victory, 
to  go  forth  to  the  conflict.'  He  repeated  the  words  of  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Free  Church  — '  Would  that  in  all  our 
Churches  the  number  of  those  anxious  for  the  salvation  of  their 
Bouls  were  so  great,  that  it  was  necessary  to  remain  up  till  mid- 
night to  point  them  to  Jesus.'  Some  might  call  this  excite- 
ment, but  those  who  had  impartially  witnessed  the  revival  in 
Musselburgh  were  convinced  that  it  was  a  deep  and  solemn 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

Rev.  Wm.  L.  Gage,  forme. -ly  Unitarian  minister 
in  Massachusetts,  also  spoke  ;  and  we  here  give,  in- 
stead of  his  speech,  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 
several  months  later,  for  the  Congregationalist, 
Boston,  from  a  sick-room.  He  did  much  by  voice 
and  pen  to  prepare  the  way  for  revival  labors  in 
America : 

"  '  Go  to  Musselburgh,'  said  Dr.  Alexander,  'and  save  this 
church,  and  if  you  succeed  there,  you  can  succeed  any  where. ' 
Mr.  Hammond  went.  And  not  only  did  he  go,  but  he  prosper- 
ed. In  only  two  or  three  weeks  he  had  vitalized  every  member 
of  the  little  flock  and  had  set  them  to  work.  In  a  week  or 
two  more,  he   had  revival  meetings   every  evening,  and  the 


62  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

church  was  crowded.  He  had  little  or  no  encouragement  from 
the  other  clergymen  of  the  place,  for  they  had  never  witnessed 
a  revival  before,  and  had  no  nearer  view  of  Whitefield's  preach- 
ing in  the  reign  of  George  II.  But,  unaffected  by  the  want  (>f 
co-operation,  Mr.  Hammond  worked  on,  introduced  our  Ameri- 
can melodies,  the  unwonted  sounds  to  those  who  have  never 
listened  to  a  more  rapidly  moving  air  than  Wells,  or  Dundee, 
introduced  our  inquiry  meetings,  and  our  bright,  sharp  and 
prompt  methods  of  conducting  the  religious  services.  The 
effect  was  immediate.  Inquiry  meetings  were  instituted  and 
were  thronged.  In  a  month  from  the  time  when  a  special  in 
terest  was  awakened,  a  hundred  felt  that  they  had  found  their 
Saviour.  He  was  continuing  his  studies  at  Edinburgh,  preach- 
ing every  night  amid  the  excitement  of  a  revival.  For  a  month, 
the  length  of  my  stay  there ,  I  was  intimate  with  the  young 
evangelist.  I  preached  for  him  fifteen  times,  and  was  with  him 
under  all  circumstances.  We  often  occupied  the  same  room  at 
night ;  we  were  together  recipients  of  the  same  generous  hos- 
pitalities, we  communicated  to  each  other  our  inmost  thoughts. 
I  was  utterly  unable  to  make  his  place  good  in  a  revival  meet- 
ing, and  the  most  that  I  could  do  was  to  stand  in  his  stead  and 
give  him  time  to  rest.  But  I  had  ample  opportunity  to  study 
his  character,  and  it  is  my  deliberate  conviction,  that  I  have 
never  met  a  man  who  was  more  devoted,  heart,  mind,  soul  and 
strength,  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  He  was  recklessly  prodigal  of 
his  health.  He  labored  without  salary,  and  with  no  grounded 
expectation  that  a  purse  would  be  made  up  for  him.  He  was 
remembered,  it  is  true,  and  during  my  visit  at  Edinburgh  I 
was  charged  with  the  delightful  duty  of  presenting  him  pub- 
licly with  a  valuable  set  of  theological  writings,  and  a  liberal 
sum  was  subscribed  in  his  behalf.  Mr.  Hammond  is  by  no 
means  deficient  in  scholarship,  nor  in  the  lighter  graces  of  cul- 
ture. He  is  now  a  graduate  of  Williams  College.  He  is  a 
young  man  of  reading,  and  even  of  literary  aspirations.    But 


OF  THE   HOI^Y    SPIRIT.  63 

first  and  foremost  in  him  is  his  devotion  to  the  work  of  an  evan- 
gelist. I  write  all  this  entirely  out  of  his  knowledge,  and  only 
from  the  wish  that  he  may  not  meet  in  Boston  the  cold  hand 
and  unsympathizing  face  of  misjudged  prejudice,  but  that  he 
may  be  helped  by  all  those  who  wish  well,  I  will  not  say  to  the 
revival  system,  but  to  a  man  of  integrity,  power,  fervor,  and  of 
the  most  humble  mind,  and  purest  aspirations." 

Rev.  Wm.  Arnot,  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Glas- 
gow, remarked  at  the  great  "Presentation  Meet- 
ing "  in  the  same  place  a  year  later : 

"  If  I  understand  aright  the  position  which  I  have  been  in- 
vited to  occupy  this  evening,  the  two  points  which  I  ought  to 
touch  are  the  work  and  the  wages  of  an  evangelist.  I  am  pre- 
pared to  assume  fuUy  the  responsibility  of  dealing  with  these 
two  things  in  their  application  to  our  present  circumstances. 
These  I  count  the  main  pillars  of  the  cause,  and  on  these  I  am 
ready  to  take  my  stand  without  faltering.  .  .  .  While  I 
hold  myself  neutral  on  some  points,  I  see  clearly  that  a  large 
portion  of  the  people  who  oppose  them  have  no  ground  to  stand 
upon.  When  a  soldier  or  diplomatist  who  has  gained  a  name 
comes  in  their  way,  they  are  in  haste  to  feast  and  honor  him. 
Soldiers  who  have  fought  and  won  they  feast ;  and,  failing 
these,  so  keen  is  their  relish  for  the  work,  that  they  will  catch 
and  feast  a  stray  soldier  who  has  neither  fought  nor  won.  Now 
to  the  two  points  which  I  count  my  own.  And  first,  the  work 
of  an  evangelist.  Where  do  evangelists  come  from  ?  They 
just  cast  up,  and  that  is  all  that  can  be  said  about  the  human 
side  of  the  question.  On  the  upper  side,  the  answer  is  short 
and  easy  —  if  they  are  true  evangelists,  they  are  the  gifts  of 
Christ  to  his  weary  heritage.  When  God  intends  to  trouble 
the  waters  I  must  not,  under  color  of  order,  limit  him  in  the  in- 
struments which  He  shall  employ.     He  may  employ  a  minister 


64  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

ing  angel,  or  a  ministering  man,  or  a  ministeritg  child ;  or  He 
may  do  the  work  by  political  revolutions  or  material  earth- 
quakes. It  is  not  my  part  to  determine  beforehand  how  he 
ought  to  do  it,  but  to  wait  reverently  and  gladly  on  what  he 
has  done.  And  after  the  work  is  done,  it  is  not  difficult  even 
to  see  some  of  the  reasons  why  the  Head  of  the  Church  em- 
ploys a  sti anger  chiefly  in  such  an  awakening.  It  is  dangerous 
to  be  set  upon  such  a  height  of  public  observation  as  this 
awakening  necessarily  sets  him  on  ;  if  it  is  dangerous  for  him, 
a  stranger,  what  would  it  have  been  for  some  of  us  who  have 
for  a  generation  been  in  a  position  of  honor  in  the  community, 
and  who  are  rooted  in  the  almost  hereditary  affections  of  large 
congregations?  Every  man  must  judge  for  himself  on  this 
point ;  but  for  my  part,  I  gladly  acquiesce  in  the  providence  of 
God  herein,  believing  that  I  see  Divine  wisdom  even  in  the  in- 
cidental circumstances  of  the  work.  Consider  further  how 
much  practical  power  and  success  have  depended  upon  certain 
authoritative  private  thrusts  at  the  conscience  —  probing  direct- 
ly the  present  spiritual  state  of  the  individual.  He  is  in  a  bet- 
ter position  for  doing  that  work  than  I  would  be,  or  than  most 
resident  ministers.  The  very  fact  that  he  is  a  stranger  in- 
creases his  power  in  that  direction.  That  sort  of  thrust  is  like 
stretching  a  beam  over  a  chasm,  and  expecting  it  to  bear  a 
weight.  The  length  of  the  beam  lessens  its  strength.  The 
shorter  beam  is  the  stronger,  simply  because  it  is  short.  Every 
stumble  that  a  resident  minister  makes  during  a  thirty  years' 
ministry  among  the  same  people  is  like  a  knot  in  the  wood  —  a 
place  at  which  it  will  give  way  if  he  venture  to  lean  much 
upon  it.  No  doubt,  an  evangelist  might  settle  down  to  a  thirty 
years'  ministry  on  the  same  spot,  and  be  so  kept,  by  God's 
almighty  and  miraculous  grace,  that  he  would  not  only  make 
no  weakening  stumble,  but  that  the  people  would  not  at  any 
time  take  up  a  causeless  prejudice  against  him.  This  and  all 
things  are  possible  with  the  Lord  ;  but  they  are  not  common  in 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  66 

the  world  —  perhaps  I  may  say  more,  they  never  happen. 
M'Cheyne  had  that  strength,  and  exerted  it.  He  spoke 
with  authority,  and  spoke  home.  He  spoke  with  amazing 
eflFect  to  the  conscience  in  his  quiet  words.  Would  this  pe- 
culiar power  have  been  weakened  if  his  life  had  been 
lengthened  ?  I  cannot  tell ;  all  I  know  is,  that  it  was  not 
tried.  It  may  be,  indeed,  that  we  are  on  the  verge  of  brighter 
days  and  higher  attainments  for  the  Church,  I  can  think, 
with  hope,  of  the  time  being  near  when  the  weakest  of  Israel 
shall  be  as  the  house  of  David,  and  the  house  of  David  as  the 
I  Angel  of  the  Lord.  I  am  hopeful  for  the  future ;  but  I  speak 
of  the  history  of  the  past.  We  shall  gladly  forget  the  things 
behind,  if  we  are  carried  onward  and  upward.  Let  no  one  fear 
for  a  moment  that  the  recognition  of  this  extraordinary  evan- 
gelistic work  supersedes  the  ministry.  It  supports  the  ministry 
in  two  points  of  view  ;  first,  it  gives  us  more  work  in  the  way 
of  directing  the  awakening  and  watching  the  converts ;  but, 
further,  it  will  make  our  sermons  more  appreciated,  and  more 
in  request.  A  man  who  has  been  awakened  by  an  extem- 
poraneous, unstudied  address,  does  not  want  to  sit  and  hear 
such  addresses  always.  He  has  an  appetite  now  for  careful, 
systematic  teaching ;  your  well-prepared  sermon,  that  went 
over  him  like  water  off  a  goose's  back,  now  goes  into  him 
like  rain  into  thirsty  ground.  I  speak  not  only  by  reason- 
ing on  the  nature  of  the  case,  but  also  by  experience  of  the 
fact.  Where  many  are  awakened  by  miscellaneous  fervent 
appeals,  there  the  ordinary  ministry  is  more  needed  and 
more  valued.  Although  a  hundred  such  men  as  Mr.  Hammond 
were  let  loose  on  Glasgow,  my  occupation  would  not  be  gone. 
By-and-by,  if  they  were  successful,  their  occupation  would  be 
gone —  their  occupation  as  awakening  evangelists  ;  and  if  they 
should  remain,  they  would  require  to  fall  into  the  regular 
methods  of  the  ministry.  I  thank  God  for  this  work  ;  and  I 
honor  the  worker       And  when  a  faithful  man  comes  up  to 


<J6  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

my  side,  and  whispers,  are  you  not  afraid  you  spoil  bim  ?  I 
answer,  there  is  danger  on  that  side,  I  am  alive  to  it ;  but  I 
must  not  do  one  evil  to  escape  another.  I  should  fear  to  ofiend 
the  Lord,  if  I  did  not  acknowledge  his  servant.  Last  and  not 
least,  be  helped  us  to  interest  the  children.  1  do  not  say  that 
he  suggested  the  idea,  for  some  of  us  have  been  trying  it  for 
many  years  ;  but  he  has  given  us  something  new  in  method, 
and  has  shown  us  how  to  put  life  in  the  old  method.  The 
employment  of  music  to  enlist  the  sympathies  and  habits  of 
children  on  the  side  of  Christ  has  received  a  mighty 
impulse  at  this  time  —  simultaneously  from  many  evangel- 
ists. In  this  walk  he  has  done  a  great  work.  If  envy  were 
lawful  at  all  in  the  matter,  I  would  envy  him  the  place  which 
he  has  been  enabled  to  gain  for  Christ  in  the  hearts  of  hundreds 
of  children,  and  the  place  which  he  has  himself  in  their  hearts 
as  the  servant  of  the  Lord. 

And  here  we  shall  notice  so  far  as  proper  respect 
for  misapprehensions  and  the  desire  to  know  Mr. 
Hammond's  position,  by  others  is  concerned,  some  of 
the  objections  made  to  his  methods  of  advancing  the 
kingdom  of  Christ.  We  cannot  better  introduce 
and  discuss  the  unattractive  subject,  than  by  a 
quotation  from  Jonathan  Edwards'  "  Thoughts  on 
the  Revival  of  Religion  in  New  England,  A.  D., 
1740."  In  this  interesting  and  instructive  volume, 
he  devotes  a  large  portion  of  the  contents  to  answer- 
ing the  popular  objections  to  the  work  of  God ; 
which  are  similar  to  those  heard  in  all  ages,  and  re- 
peated whenever  the  Lord  pours  contempt  upon 
human  wisdom,  and  moves  with  Pentecostal  power 
upon  the  people.     While  quackery,  unavoidable  in 


OP  TflE   liOLY   SPlHit.  67 

all  science  and  every  profession,  may  be  condem- 
ned and  opposed,  and  the  reliance  upon  religious 
novelties  and  machinery  deprecated,  Edwards  con- 
tends nobly  for  a  just  discrimination  in  the  mat- 
ter, and  claims  Christian  confidence  and  sympathy 
for  revivals  and  the  actors  in  them,  w^hen  the  Spirit 
of  God  clearly  puts  his  unerring  seal  upon  both. 
We  select  number  six  of  his  topics,  because  it  meets 
a  common  occasion  of  suspicious  questioning  now-a- 
days.  It  is,  "  The  complaint  of  too  much  singing, 
and  of  religious  meetings  of  children." 

"  We  that  are  grown  persons  have  defects  in  our  prayers  that 
are  a  thousand  times  worse  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  are  a 
greater  confusion  and  more  absurd  nonsense  in  his  eyes  than 
their  childish  indiscretions.  There  is  not  so  much  difference 
before  God,  between  children  and  grown  persons,  as  we  are 
ready  to  imagine ;  we  are  all  poor,  ignorant,  foolish  babes  in 
his  sight :  our  adult  age  does  not  bring  us  so  much  nearer  to 
God  as  we  are  apt  to  think.  God  in  his  work  has  shown  a  re- 
markable regard  to  little  children  ;  he  has  been  pleased  in  a 
wonderful  manner  to  perfect  praise  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes 
and  sucklings.  I  have  seen  many  happy  effects  of  children's 
religious  meetings ;  and  God  has  seemed  often  remarkably  to 
own  them  in  their  meetings,  and  really  descended  from  heaven 
to  be  amongst  them.  All  should  take  heed  that  thej  do  not 
find  fault  with  and  despise  the  religion  of  children  from  an  evil 
principle,  lest  they  should  be  like  the  chief  Priests  and  Scribes, 
who  were  sore  displeased  at  the  religious  worship  and  praises 
of  little  chUdren." 

We  think  with  this  great  man,  that  the  danger  is 


6S  THfi  HARVEST   WORK 

not  in  seeking  to  bless  and  save,  even  if  many  are 
only  moved  by  sympathy  at  the  time  ;  but  in 
neglecting  and  repelling  with  an  atmosphere  of 
distance  and  doubt,  the  "  little  children,"  of  whom 
the  Master  said,  "  Suffer  them  to  come  unto  me, 
and  forbid  them  not." 

We  quote  from  Dr.  Griffin,  of  Newark,  N.  J., 
upon  this  touching  theme,  in  the  following  descrip- 
tive sketch  of  a  revival  in  that  city  : 

"  The  appearance  was  as  if  a  collection  of  waters,  long  sus- 
pended over  the  town,  had  fallen  at  once,  and  deluged  the  whole 
place.  For  several  weeks  the  people  would  stay  at  the  close  of 
every  evening  service  to  hear  some  new  exhortation  ;  and  it 
seemed  impossible  to  persuade  them  to  depart,  until  those  on 
whose  lips  they  hung  had  retired.  At  those  seasons  you  might 
see  a  multitude  weeping  and  trembling  around  their  minister, 
and  many  others  standing  as  astonished  spectators  of  the  scene, 
and  beginning  to  tremble  themselves.  One  Sabbath,  after  the 
second  service,  when  I  had  catechized  and  dismissed  the  little 
children,  they  gathered  around  me,  weeping,  and  inquiring 
what  they  should  do.  I  know  not  but  a  hundred  were  in  tears 
at  once.  The  scene  was  as  aflfecting  as  it  was  unexpected. 
Having  prayed  with  them  again,  and  spent  some  time  in  exhor- 
tation, I  attempted  to  send  them  away,  but  with  all  my  en- 
treaties I  could  not  prevail  upon  them  to  depart  until  night 
came  on,  and  then  1  was  obliged  to  go  out  with  them,  and  liter- 
ally force  them  from  me." 

This  scene  suggests  another  fact  of  late  revival 
effort,  often  noticed  with  condemnation,  at  least  dis- 
trust :  The  inquiry  meeting  at  the  close  of  service, 
sometimes   at  evening,  continued   till  a  late  hour. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  69 

That  the  most  favorable  time  for  personal  inquiry 
and  appeal  is  at  the  very  moment  when  truth  is 
(stirring  the  conscience  and  the  heart,  is  apparent ; 
and  that  the  Spirit's  operations,  since  the  world  be- 
gan, have  been  without  limitations  of  human  origin, 
is  equally  clear.  Order  and  rational  thought  are 
the  only  unchangeable  laws  of  his  working  ;  meaning 
by  order,  the  opposite  of  confusion  and  noisy  de- 
monstrations of  feeling  which  are  an  affectation  of 
zeal. 

Dr.  Griffin,  Whitefield,  and  many  others  dis- 
tinguished for  success  in  winning  souls  to  Christ, 
have  left  their  testimony.  And  does  any  one  doubt 
the  assertion,  that  inspiration  alone  saves  the  repu- 
tation of  Paul  for  sanity  and  prudence,  when  it  is 
recorded  of  him,  that,  after  preaching  till  midnight, 
and  a  young  man  falling  from  the  upper  window, 
came  near  to  death,  he  cared  for  the  sufferer,  then 
resumed  his  discourse  to  the  multitude  till  momino:  ? 

God  teaches  us  in  manifold  ways  his  supreme  re- 
gard for  the  soul  of  man,  and  his  displeasure  to- 
ward those  who  apologize,  for  neglect  of  it,  by  an 
appeal  to  propriety,  and  a  quiet  which  leaves  un- 
moved the  masses  of  the  impenitent  on  the  margin 
of  hell.  The  theory  of  a  gradual  and  continual 
increase  of  converts  and  additions  to  the  church,  is 
beautifully  calm,  but  was  never  realized  to  any  ex- 
tent and  never  will  be,  before  the  morning  glory  of 
the  millennium  floods  the  earth. 


70  THE    HARVEST   WORK 

Speaking  personally  to  the  people,  and  using 
the  press,  in  attracting  public  attention  to  the 
meetings,  are  also  spoken  against  by  even  good 
people.  The  former  is  too  plainly  Apostolic  and 
Scriptural,  to  need  a  defence,  if  only  kind  and 
courteous.  The  wondrous  power  of  speech  is  mo- 
nopolized by  the  world,  and  must  be  converted  to 
Christ  by  his  disciples  again.  And  certainly  the 
press  belongs  to  God,  and  ought  to  be  used  for  his 
glory,  and  not  for  man's  ambition.  If  this  be  the 
motive  and  aim,  no  matter  how  freely  the  mighty 
means  of  good  or  evil,  be  employed  in  gaining  the 
listening  ear. 

Edwards  thus  alludes  to  the  subject : 

"  One  thing  more  I  would  mention,  which,  if  God  should 
still  carry  on  this  work,  would  tend  much  to  promote  it ;  and 
that  is,  that  a  history  should  be  published  once  a  month,  or  once 
a  fortnight,  of  the  progress  of  it.  It  has  been  found  by  experi- 
ence, that  the  tidings  of  remarkable  effects  of  the  power  and 
grace  of  God  in  any  place,  tend  greatly  to  awaken  and  engage 
the  minds  of  persons  in  other  places. " 

He  further  writes  upon  the  peculiarities  of  a  re- 
vival, and  pointedly  deals  with  a  disposition  to  cavil 
and  reject  instrumentalities,  because  new  and  with- 
out precedent.  They,  that  do  so,  "  limit  God  where 
he  has  not  limited  himself ;  for  whoever  has  well 
weighed  the  wonderful  and  mysterious  methods  of 
Divine  wisdom  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  new  crea- 
tion, or  in  the  progress  of  the  work  of  redemption,  to 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  71 

this  time,  may  easily  observe  that  it  has  all  along 
been  God's  manner  to  open  new  scenes  and  to  bring 
forth  to  view  things  new  and  wonderful,  such  as  eye 
had  not  seen  nor  ear  heard,  nor  had  entered  into  the 
heart  of  men  or  angels,  to  the  astonishment  of  heaven 
and  earth,  not  only  in  the  revelation  of  the  works  of 
his  mind  and  will,  but  also  in  the  work  of  his  hands." 
Respecting  the  narration  of  Christian  experience, 
which,  in  connection  with  a  constant  appeal  to  God's 
word,  and  intense  earnestness,  is  one  of  the  chief 
sources  of  power  in  the  youthful  Evangelist  noticed 
in  these  pages  ;  Mr.  Tracy,  in  his  "  Great  Awaken- 
ing," says  : 

"It  is  doubtless  true,  that  there  can  be  no  infallibility  with 
fallible  judges ;  and  that  the  errors  of  enthusiasts  have  done 
much  to  bring  the  relation  of  experience  into  disrepute  ;  and  that 
some  religious  men  have  been  made  ashamed  to  show  any  re- 
spect for  the  practice  by  the  sneers  of  those,  who,  having  no  re- 
ligious experience  themselves,  hate  and  despise  all  regard  for  it 
in  others ;  and  that  for  such  reasons  the  subject  has  received 
less  attention  than  it  deserves.         #         ♦         #         #        # 

The  history  of  the  "Great  Awakening,"  is  the  history  of 
this  idea,  ("  the  new  birth  ")  making  its  way  through  some 
communities  where  it  had  fallen  into  comparative  neglect  and 
through  others  where  it  was  comparatively  unknown  ;  over- 
turning theories  and  habits  and  forms  of  organization  incon- 
sistent with  it  when  it  could  prevail,  and  repelled  by  them  when 
it  could  not." 

We  close  this  view  of  the  instrumentahties  used 
in  the  "  times  of  refreshing,"  with  letters  and  earnest 


72  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

words  from  eminent  living  preachers  and  pastors. 
The  first  is  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  John  Hensel- 
wood,  of  Haddington,  Scotland,  the  home  of  the 
celebrated  Dr.  John  Brown,  addressed  to  Mr.  H. : 

East  U.  P.  Manse,  Haddington,  June  17th,  1861. 
My  Dear  Brother  ; 

"  It  may  seem  strange  to  you  that  you  should  be  epoken 
against  by  any  party,  and  especially  by  any  party  making  pro- 
fessions of  interest  in  the  Redeemer's  cause.     But  I  presume 
you  can  scarcely  be  ignorant  of  the  fact.     Now  while  I  believe 
this  enmity  has  its  origin  partly  in  hostility  to  an  earnest  and 
vital  Christianity,  and  also  in  part,  to  feelings  of  envy,  jealousy, 
and  pride,  yet,  much  of  it  arises  also  from  other  causes  which 
are  scarcely  so  bad.     These  causes  are  many  and  various,  and 
not  a  few  of  them,  I  believe,  orginate  in  ignorance  and  misun- 
derstanding as  to  the  character  and  motives,  of  your  efforts  and 
aims.     Pure  and  disinterested  love  of  souls  is  a  thing  so  rare 
either  in  ministers  or  in  any  other  class,  that  its  existence  can 
scarcely  be  credited;  and  rather  than  believe  that  any  one, who 
professes  to  have  such  love,  is  sincere  in  his  profession,  men  will 
believe  almost  anything  else.     Hence  every  act  of  such  an  in- 
dividual is  liable  to  be  misconstrued,  and  his  most  disinterested 
performances  are  scrutinized  with  an  eye  to  discover,  if  possible, 
how  they  may  be  stript  of  their  disinterested  character,  and  be 
brought  down  to  the  level  of  ordinary  human  actions — of  which 
the  predominating  element  is  selfishness.    "What  renders  such  at- 
tempts so  successful,  is  the  melancholy  fact  that  the  purest  and 
most  disinterested  love  of  souls  to  be  found  on  earth  is,  always 
at  the  best,  impure  and  mixed  with  selfishness;  so  that  there  is 
generally  enough,   even  in  the  best  actions,  to  furnish  a  handle 
whereby  they,  who  feel  disposed  to  find  it  out  and  to  use  it,  may 
rob  you  of  any  opportunity  you  might  otherwise  have,  of  ex- 
hibiting the  power  of  true  Christian  love.     How  much  need 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  73 

therefore,  have  we,  who  profess  to  have  a  disinterested  love  of 
eouls»  to  be  ever  on  our  guard  against  all  yielding  to  selfishness 
in  any  of  its  forms.  How  much  need,  in  a  word,  that  we  be 
really  and  wholly  devoted  to  Christ  and  filled  with  his  spirit. 
Ohforafew  —  even  if  they  were  a  few  —  men  of  such  a  stamp ! 
They  would  be  the  harbingers  of  that  golden  age  we  are  longing 
for,  when  the  world  shall  be  filled  with  real,  living ,  loving 
Christians." 

Rev.  Dr.  Carruthers,  of  Portland,  uses  the  follow- 
ing language  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  which  we  are 
permitted  to  quote : 

"  My  visit  to  So.  Paris,  was  most  interesting.  It  would  be  a 
grand  movement  if  the  adjoining  villages  of  N.  and  P.  Hill 
were,  for  a  month,  the  scene  of  labor  to  Mr.  H.  Unitarianism 
and  Universalism  —  the  two  main  wings  of  Satan's  army,  are 
there  so  strongly  entrenched,  as  to  require  some  of  those  shells 
which  he  knows  how  to  throw,  in  order  to  dislodge  them.  They 
are  absolutely  beyond  the  reach  of  the  ordinary  means  of  grace 
—  and  the  gospel,  as  set  forth  in  the  ordinary  discourses  of  the 
evangelical  pulpit,  has  little  of  adaptation  to  these  subtle  and 
soul-ruinous  forms  of  heresy.  Their  abettors,  besides,  seldom 
come  where  they  can  hear  the  truth,  and  hence  the  peculiar 
value  of  such  an  order  of  "  evangelism,"  as  shall  draw  them 
from  their  strongholds  and  compel  them  to  hear  the  words  of 
truth  and  soberness.  Such  labors  as  those  of  our  honored 
brother  are  greatly  needed  throughout  the  State  of  Maine ;  and 
r  have  little  hope  of  its  evangelization  otherwise  than  by  such 
prayerful,  persistent  and  peculiar  eflPorts.  The  dislike  and  op- 
position manifested  towards  these  forms  of  Christian  labor,  are, 
in  my  mind,  distinctly  traceable  to  very  diflferent  causes  from 
those  for  which  credit  is  desired  ;  and  I  sincerely  mourn  the 
probable  issue  of  such  methods  of  treating  the  testimony  and 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     God  grant  that  He  may  not  be 


74  THE   HARVEST     WORK 

80  grieved  as  eatirely  to  withdraw  his  precioub  influences  and 
leave  this  portion  of  his  heritage  to  desolation,  sterility  and 
death !  For  myself,  my  family,  my  church,  my  parish,  I 
am  sincerely  thankful  that  we  were  not  left  to  look  coldly  on 
our  devoted  brother,  and  to  refuse  co-operation  in  a  work 
fraught  with  such  momentous  consequences  to  so  many  souls. 
I  have  no  doubt  of  the  deep  sincerity  of  not  a  few  who  refuse 
their  sympathy  with  this  great  work  —  but  sincerity  is  no 
adequate  test  of  truth  and  duty  —  and  careful  inquiry  and  ex- 
amination should,  in  every  case,  precede  proscription.  To  their 
own  master,  however,  they  stand  or  fall.  Let  us  be  faithful  to 
our  own  convictions — let  us  cherish  the  precious  gift  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  watch,  and  work,  and  wait  in  humble  reliance 
on  the  promised  presence  and  power  of  Him  who  is  above  all, 
and  through  all, and  in  you  all." 

We  cannot  omit  a  pleasant  note  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Bonar,  the  well-known  and  admired  poet,  whose 
lines  are  more  frequently  quoted,  perhaps,  than 
those  of  any  living  religious  writer ;  feeling  quite 
sure  it  will  interest  the  reader,  and  inspire  confidence 
in  his  friend : 

Kelso  ^  April. 

"  I  have  been  following  your  footsteps  with  interest  in  many 
quarters  ;  and  I  now  write  to  ask  you  to  visit  the  borders.  I 
would  earnestly  entreat  you  to  come  to  our  help  here.  This  is 
the  centre  of  a  very  populous  district.  Many  of  our  villages 
have  been  visited  with  blessing.  As  yet  Kelso  has  only  received 
a  few  drops.  We  are  waiting  for  the  shower.  Will  you  not 
come  and  help  us  ?  Do  try.  I  need  not  use  arguments.  I 
commend  the  matter  to  God,  and  remain  yours  very  faithfully 
in  the  bonds  of  Christ, 

HoRATius  Bonar." 

We    feel  assured  that  the  reflective,  Christian 


OF  THE  HOLY  STIRIT.  75 

reader,  will  feel  that  God  our  Saviour  nas  sent  forth 
a  laborer  into  his  vineyard,  to  do  a  work  which  will 
honor  Him,  the  dust  of  whose  chariot  wheels,  in 
his  conquering  marches,  not  unfrequently  blinds  the 
eyes  of  wondering  beholders.  He  pauses  not  to 
consult  the  doubting  friends,  nor  answer  the  scorn 
of  unscrupulous  enemies.  Let  his  saints  rejoice 
that  he  reigns  and  works  ;  praying  for  wisdom  to 
discern  the  signs  of  these  threatening  times  ;  and 
for  grace,  whereby  we  may  "  serve  God  acceptably, 
with  reverence  and  godly  fear." 

The  voice  of  Providence  and  grace,  to  those 
whose  great  object  it  is  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  re- 
peats the  sentiment  of  one  who  had  labored  in  the 
harvest  of  souls,  with  woman's  love  and  zeal : 

"  The  fields  are  white  for  harvest, 

The  reapers  they  are  here, 
Armed  with  the  Gospel  sickle, 

The  waving  grain  to  clear. 
With  heart  and  hand  united, 

Thus  work  this  busy  throng, 
While  o'er  the  fields  resoundeth 

Their  glorious  harvest  song. 

"  Ho  !  all  ye  Christian  reapers, 

Go,  lalwr  while  you  may  ! 
Into  your  Master's  garner 

Oh  !  gather  all  the  day. 
He  '11  bless  the  feeblest  efforts, 

He  '11  give  to  all  their  meed, 
Who  in  his  name  go  weeping, 

(jp  scatter  precious  seecj." 


CHAPTER  ni. 

Revival  in  GiflEbrd.  Haddington  —  its  historical  interest,  and  the 
awakening.  Mission  to  the  West  of  England  —  Great  open-air 
meeting  at  Huntly.  The  work  in  adjacent  towns  —  Aberdeen, 
Dumfemline,  Edinburgh,  Tillicoultry.  The  mining  district, 
Motherwell  and  Wishaw.    The  closing  year's  record. 

Gifford,  a  farming  town  four  miles  from  Had- 
dington, was  the  next  field  of  effort ;  meanwhile 
Rev.  James  Stewart,  pastor  of  the  Free  Church, 
was  laboring  in  Musselburgh.  Nearly  a  week  later, 
upon  returning  to  his  charge,  Mr.  S.  found  large 
numbers  inquiring  the  way  to  the  Cross.  Meetings 
were  held  daily,  till  many  of  them  were  rejoicing  in 
the  hope  of  eternal  life. 

A  call  was  extended  to  Mr.  Hammond  by  the 
church  in  Musselburgh  to  settle  over  them  as  their 
pastor ;  but  his  heart  was  in  the  work  of  the  Evan- 
gelist. 

I      Six  churches   and  five  ministers  of  Haddington 
united  in  extending  the  invitation  to  commence  a 
series  of  meetings  there,  and  he  at  once  accepted. 
For    a   week,    they    were    held    in    the   different 
churches. 

The  old  cathedral  where  Dr.  John  Brown,  the 
great  expositor,  and  John  Knox  preached,  seating 


THE  HARVEST  WORK.  77 

fifteen  hundred,  was  filled.  The  Holy  Spirit  was 
present,  and  a  number  were  led  to  the  Lamb  of 
God,  while  Chrisiians  were  refreshed,  and  rejoiced 
together  in  his  saving  presence. 

An  intelligent  lady,  daughter  of  an  officer  in  the 
Bengal  Army,  who  had  been  for  years  a  member  of 
a  church,  gives  a  clear  narrative  of  her  experience, 
at  this  time  : 

*•  You  cannot  think  how  much  I  value  the  privilege  of  being 
able  to  write  to  a  Christian  friend.  For  the  first  few 
days  after  I  really  thought  I  had  found  peace  in  the  Lord 
Jesua,  my  whole  soul  seemed  to  be  filled  with  joy  and  thankful- 
ness, and  I  felt  an  utter  distaste  and  hatred  for  all  the  worldly 
sins  and  pleasure  which  had  formerly  constituted  my  sole  en- 
joyments. Oh  !  how  I  wish  that  I  had  continued  in  this  happy 
state.  And  yet  I  have  cause  to  thank  my  Saviour  that,  amid 
all  the  doubts  and  temptations  which  are  continually  distress- 
ing me,  1  still  love  to  pray  —  which  I  never  did  in  my  life  be- 
fore. What  should  I  do  without  prayer?  I  am  often  inclined 
to  envy  my  sisters  in  thus  going  straight  to  Christ  for  salvation, 
instead  of  living  for  years  as  I  have  done,  supposing  myself  to 
be  a  Christian,  trusting  to  merit  heaven  through  a  close  obser- 
^lance  of  all  our  church  rites  and  ceremonies,  instead  of  trust- 
ing alone  to  the  finished  work  of  Jesus  Christ. 

I  have  been  talking  much  of  late  to  my  second  sister,  and 
have  been  praying  especially  for  her  that  she  may  come  at  once 
to  Jesuci,  if  she  could  only  be  made  to  see  her  need  of  a 
i^viour,  and  that  she  '*  must  be  born  again."  Although  so 
young,  she  has  for  some  time  past  been  a  member  of  our  church 
by  her  own  desire,  and  yet  she  told  me  that  she  could  not  really 
say,  she  lov.i  Jesus.  May  I  ask  you  to  join  in  praying  for  her  ? 
It  well   becomes  me  to  be  deeply  concerned  for  her  ;   but  a  few 


78  THE   HARVEST  Wolliv 

weeks  ago  and  I  was  in  the  same  darkness,  and  quite  unconscioufl 
that,  notwithstanding  all  my  professions,  if  I  had  died  then 
I  must  have  been  lost.  What  can  I  do  ?  Time  is  so  uncer- 
tain, and  eternity  is  for  ever.  I  never  rightly  understood  the 
value  of  a  soul  till  now.  Yes,  Jesus  is  now  indeed  precious  to 
me ;  I  would  not  give  some  of  the  hours  which  I  sometimes 
enjoy  in  his  presence,  for  all  the  world  has  to  bestow." 

Soon  after,  he  went  to  the  south-east  coast  of 
England,  Lowestoft,  vrhere  a  tremendous  gale  had 
destroyed  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  persons  who 
were  fishing  on  the  Sabbath. 

It  was  thought  that  the  minds  of  many  would  be 
render,  and  that  they  might  be  induced  to  give  up 
their  Sabbath-breaking.  For  four  weeks  he  held 
meetings  in  towns  along  the  coast  nearly  every 
night.  Mr.  Hammond  wrote  :  "  It  was  a  mistake 
trying  to  combine  the  two  things.  Had  I  devoted 
my  whole  energies  to  the  revival  of  religion  and  the 
conversion  of  souls,  I  think  it  would,  though  in- 
directly, have  done  more  for  the  promotion  of  the 
better  observance  of  the  Sabbath." 

We  find  a  report  of  one  of  these  meetings,  from 
which  we  quote  an  extract,  as  possessing  interest  in 
respect  to  the  Sabbath  question  itself: 

"  On  Wednesday  evening  last,  the  18th,  a  full  meeting  was 
held  at  the  National  School-room,  Gorleston,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  the  better  observance  of  the  Lord's  Day,  and  especial- 
ly among  the  owners,  masters,  and  men,  of  the  fishing  boats  in 
that  village.    Rev.  "^V.  W.  Blanford,  Curate,  presided.     Among 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  79 

those  present  were  J.  Garnham,  Esq.,  R.  N.,Capt.  S.  Smyth, 
R.  N.,  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond,  (from  New  York,)  &c. 

"  The  meeting  commenced  with  singing.  The  verses  from  12 
to  21  of  the  20th  of  Ezekiel  were  read,  followed  by  a  short 
prayer.  The  Chairman  then  introduced  the  business  of  the 
meeting,  observing  that  two  institutions  only  had  been  appoint- 
ed in  Paradise,  Marriage  and  the  Sabbath.  Mr.  Hammond  was 
introduced  and  commenced  by  speaking  of  what  had  already 
been  done  in  the  adjoining  towns.  In  Lowestoft  and  vicinity 
large  public  meetings  had  been  held,  attended  by  the  most  in- 
fluential of  the  resident  and  by  many  of  the  boat-owners  and 
fishermen ;  and  pledges  vrere  now  bemg  circulated  there,  and 
had  been  signed  by  large  numbers.  In  Southworld  all  of  the 
boat-owners  but  two  had  given  in  their  pledges  against  the 
Saturday  night  and  Sunday  fishing.  In  Pakefield  and  Kessing- 
land  there  was  almost  a  universal  feeling  in  its  favor.  In 
Kessingland  especially  they  vyere  anxious  for  both  nights'  fish- 
ing being  given  up.  The  only  excuse  he  found  oflered  for  Sun- 
day fishing  was  that  others  practise  it.  This  reminded  him 
of  having  seen  a  flock  of  sheep  leaping  one  after  the  other 
over  the  side  of  a  steamer  into  the  ocean  and  perishing.  This 
he  applied  in  a  most  solemn  manner  to  those  who,  in  spite  of 
this  dreadful  judgment  from  heaven,  were  continuing  to  set  at 
defiance  the  commands  of  God  in  desecrating  His  Holy  Day, 
and  vrho  were  thus  treasuring  up  for  themselves  '  wrath  against 
the  day  of  wrath '  —  a  more  dreadful  '  day '  to  such  than 
that  sad  28th  of  May,  1860. 

"  Mr.  H.  spoke  of  the  physical  argument  in  favor  of  making 
the  Sabbath  a  day  of  rest  after  the  toils  of  the  week,  even  aa 
the  night  is  for  rest  after  the  labors  of  the  day.  This  was  the 
divine  plan,  and  those  who  infringed  the  laws  of  nature,  and 
especially  of  the  decalogue,  will  sooner  or  later  find  themselves 
the  losers. 


80  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

**  A  Sabbath  well  speut 
Brings  a  week  of  content. 

And  health  for  the  toils  of  the  morrow; 
But  a  Sabbath  profimed. 
Whatsoe'er  may  be  gained. 

Is  a  sure  forerunner  of  sorrow." 

Mr.  H.  gave  some  interesting  accounts  of  the  greit  revival  of 
religion,  which  he  had  witnessed  in  America,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland,  and  showed  the  influence  of  this  work  in  producing 
the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  This,  after  all,  was  hut 
a  surface  question.  When  men  could  be  brought  by  the  influence 
of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  by  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands, 
as  it  had  been  in  the  United  States,  to  feel  the  heinous  nature 
of  all  sin  in  the  sight  of  a  Holy  God,  and  to  look  alone  to 
Christ  as  the  only  ground  of  justification,  then  would  the  Sab- 
bath become  a  joy  and  '  delight.''  " 

"  No  such  meetings  as  these  would  then  have  to  be  called.  At 
a  meeting  in  Lowestoft  a  fisherman,  who  had  recently  been  con- 
verted to  Christ,  said,  *  A  bushel  of  guineas  would  not  tempt 
me  now  to  fish  on  the  Sabbath.'  He  felt  the  great  thing  need- 
ed was  the  revival,  or  rather  the  introduction  of  real  religion 
into  each  man's  soul,  that  each  should  be  bom  again,  and 
made  a  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus.  Then  they  would  value 
the  Sabbath  Day  as  a  most  blessed  privilege  as  well  as  a  right. 
The  following  is  one  of  his  illustrations  in  order  to  demonstrate 
the  claims  of  the  fishermen  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  Sabbath. 
£  once  stood  in  Castle  Garden,  at  New  York,  and  saw  a 
weather-beaten  ship,  with  mast  and  rudder  gone,  sails  tattered 
and  torn,  being  towed  into  the  great  dry  dock,  there  to  be  re- 
fitted and  made  ready  to  battle  again  with  the  tempests  and 
raging  billows.  What  would  y<^m  have  thought  if  the  oflficers 
of  the  harbor  had  given  orders  for  the  disabled  bark  to  be  tow- 
ed out  again  to  sea,  and  left  to  struggle  in  vain  with  the  con- 
tending waves,  and  at  last  to  sink  to  rise  no  more  ?    Such  in* 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  81 

liuiuan  conduct  we  should  all  condemn.  But  do  wc  not,  as 
boat- owners,  in  passing  sentence  against  these  officers,  condemn 
ourselves  ?  What  are  those  of  our  crew  but  weather-beaten 
mariners  on  the  sea  of  life  ?  And  are  we  not  even  more  guilty 
in  refusing  our  fishermen  the  enjoyment  of  the  privileges  of  the 
Sabbath,  than  those  officers  would  have  been  had  they  denied 
that  disabled  ship  the  use  of  the  harbor  for  repairs?  Are  we 
not  thus  depriving  our  men  of  one  of  the  richest  boons  of 
heaven  —  even  the  God-given  rights  of  the  Sabbath  as  a  day  of 
rest  for  the  weary  body  and  the  hungry  soul  ?  He  concluded 
his  interesting  address  by  pressing  them  with  earnest  exhorta- 
tions, mingled  with  striking  illustrations,  not  to  delay  turning 
to  the  Lord.  The  Scriptures  everywhere  insisted  upon  im- 
mediate repentance  and  faith  in  the  Saviour.  His  language 
uniformly  was,  "  Now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is  the  day  of 
Salvation." 

From  Lowestoft,  Mr.  Hammond  went  to  Huntly, 
in  the  north  of  Scotland,  to  speak  in  the  open- 
air  meetings,  held  for  two  days  under  the  prtronage 
of  the  Duchess  of  Gordon,  who  expended  $2000, 
it  was  stated,  in  defraying  expenses  of  trains  going 
to  and  returning  from  the  grounds,  and  other  de- 
mands upon  her  liberality.  It  was  the  inauguration 
of  a  series  of  similiar  gatherings  in  the  kingdom, 
attended  with  incalculable  good.  We  take  extracts 
respecting  the  grand  convocation,  from  the  British 
Herald : 

**  A  great  work  of  grace  has  been  going  on  for  a  considerable 
period  in  different  parts  of  some  of  the  northern  counties  of 
Scotland,  particularly  in   Aberdeenshire  and   Banffshire ;  and 


82  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

the  assembling  of  10,000  souls,  at  the  Huntly  open-air  meetings 
in  the  end  of  July,  gave  to  all  doubters  a  demonstration  of  its 
genuineness  and  extent.  Twelve  months  ago  such  a  *  gathering ' 
for  prayer  and  preaching  would  have  been  impossible  in 
that  district.  We  believe  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  adults, 
composing  the  meetings  of  25th  and  26th  July,  were  converted 
persons,  and  perhaps  we  should  have  found  on  inquiry  that  one 
half  of  these  converts  were  not  yet  a  year  old.  That  assemblage 
proved,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  impartial  Christian  visitors 
from  distant  parts  of  these  and  other  lands,  that  the  Lord  had 
for  some  time  been  doing  great  things  by  the  outpouring  of  his 
Holy  Spirit,  and  that  He  was  continuing  to  give  "  showers  of 
blessing."  The  Rev.  A.  Moody  Stuart,  of  Edinburgh,  who 
took  a  leading  part  in  conducting  the  services  of  these  meetings, 
has  evidently  the  same  impression,  for  we  find  him  writing  to 
that  eflPect  in  a  published  letter  now  before  us,  part  of  which 
runs  thus  :  '  The  great  gathering  in  the  Castle  Park  at  Huntly, 
proves,  by  the  mere  presence  of  the  congregated  multitudes, 
that  there  still  burns  within  the  people  an  unquenched  thirst 
for  the  water  and  the  word  of  life,  while  its  fruits  indicate  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  is  still  moving  on  the  face  of  the  deep,  con- 
verting darkness  into  light  and  death  unto  life.     All  who,  then 

*  heard  of  it  at  Ephratah,  and  found  it  in  the  field  of  the  wood,' 
have  returned  with  '  a  banner  given  them,  to  be  displayed  for 
the  truth,'  and  with  the  desire  to  stir  themselves  and  their 
brethren  throughout  the  land  '  to  be  of  good  courage,  and  to 
play  the  men  for  our  people  and  for  the  cities  of  our  God.'  If 
we  go  forth  in  Christ's  name  bearing  his  reproach,  —  if  we 

*  put  our  trust  in  him  and  cry  to  God  in  the  battle,'  —  then 
assuredly  it  will  be  written  for  us  in  the  records  of  Israel,  that 

*  there  fell  down  many  slain,  because  the  war  was  of  God.' 
The  Lord  is  evidently  going  forth  before  the  face  of  his  people ; 
and  if  we  follow  him,  '  the  earth  will  shake  and  the  heavens 
will  drop  at  his  presence.' 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  83 

"  The  forenoon  of  Wednesday  wae  specially  set  apart  foi  ad- 
dresses to  the  young.  The  large  concourse  of  people  were 
formed  into  a  sort  of  natural  amphitheatre,  in  a  suitable  part 
of  the  park.  General  Anderson,  of  Edinburgh,  presided  on 
both  days. 

"  A  number  of  interesting  addresses  were  delivered  to  the 
children  ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  very  important  meeting 
was  going  on  in  the  large  tent  (His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Rich" 
inond's  marquee,)  at  the  entrance  to  the  park  —  presided  over 
by  the  Rev.  A.  Moody  Stuart.  The  greater  part  of  the  spiritual 
impression  experienced  during  the  first  day  was  realized 
there.' 

*'  On  Wednesday,  the  chief  blessing  appeared  to  accompany 
the  services  in  the  tent ;  but,  on  Thursday,  the  power  of  God 
seemed  to  rest  more  particularly  on  the  services  in  the  open- 
air,  where  6,000  or  7,000  were  assembled.  The  attention  of 
the  people  became  so  riveted  at  the  great  meeting  that,  even 
when  the  awakened  were  requested  to  repair  to  the  tent  that 
they  might  be  conversed  with  as  on  the  previous  day,  compara- 
tively few  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity,  choosing 
rather  to  remain  where  they  had  been  wounded,  expecting,  no 
doubt,  that  '  the  power  of  the  Lord,'  which  was  so  manifestly 
felt,  would  '  be  present  to  heal  them.'  And  we  believe  many 
were  filled  by  the  God  of  hope  "  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  be- 
lieving." 

'*  As  regards  outward  decorum,  there  was  nothing  whatever 
to  oflfend  even  those  with  whom  the  secondary  precept  — '  Let 
all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order  '  —  has  passed  into  the 
first  and  great  commandment  of  the  law,  and  who  so  confine 
the  ordinances  between  lines  of  iron  as  to  render  the  apostolic 
injunction  void  by  leaving  no  room  for  its  application.  Impar- 
tial witnesses,  who  took  no  part  in  the  proceedings,  willingly 
testified,  that  amongst  the  many  thousands  assembled,  there 
had  not  been  seen  one  disorderly  person,  and  the  hostile  press  is 


84  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

compelled  to  admit  that  the  '  preaching  passed  off  very  de- 
corously.' 

"  Surely  when  the  harvest  is  so  great,  and  the  fields  are  so 
white,  it  is  time  for  us  to  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send 
forth  laborers  into  his  harvest ;  and  each  of  us,  sickle  in  hand, 
to  say  to  that  Lord  :  '  Here  am  I,  send  lae.'  " 

Another  graphic  writer  says  : 

"  The  cloudy  aspect  of  the  sky  led  many  to  expect  that  this 
would  be  a  day  of  rain.  These  apprehensions,  however,  were 
soon  dissipated.  The  sky,  though  overcast  in  the  morning, 
was  gradually  illumined  with  the  brilliance  of  the  sun. 

"  At  an  early  hour,  the  quiet  of  our  street  was  broken  ;  and 
the  sound  of  bustling  feet  played  ceaselessly  on  the  ear.    As  the 
large  iron  gateway  of  the  Park  swung  open,  Castle  Street  be- 
came one  stream  of  quickly  moving  figures,  dressed  all  neatly, 
some  elegantly,  but  few  flauntingly.     The  hour  of  meeting  ap- 
proached, and  the  avenne  leading  to  Gordon  Schools  had  become 
one  surging  concourse  of  men,  women,  and  children.     Every 
street  poured  its  tributary  bands  into  the  heaving  crowd  that 
wound  its  way  to  the  rendezvous.     The  sight  was  really  one  of 
grandeur.     All  moved  along  in  dense  masses  or  long  drawn  out 
columns  ;  eager  as  crowds  ever  are,  but  serious  as  crowds  rarely 
are.     Then  mark  the  centre  to  which  all  are  tending — the 
simple  declaration  of   a  truth  older  than  our  nation,  more 
familiar  than  our  fireside  legends,  more  repugnant  to  the  unre- 
generate  heart  than  any  figment  of  the  vast  cycle  of  universal 
truth  ;  but  yet,  when  appropriately  displayed,  more  potent  to 
fascinate  and  mould  than  any  metaphysical  principles  or  phi- 
losophic codes ;  a  truth  more  fitted  to  enthral  than  any  system 
of  beauty  or  grace  that  can  enlighten  the  reason,  or  sparkle  its 
brilliance  in  the  imagination  of  man. 

"  Many  motives  swayed  the  multitude.     They  could  be  read 
in  the  varied  countenances  as  they  swept  onwards  —  the  jesting 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  85 

\ee.  looking  out  from  the  eye,  the  sportive  play  of  fancy  beam- 
ing m  the  face,  the  quiescent  repose  of  the  features,  or  the 
troubled  cloud  that  hung  on  the  brow.  But  their  centre  was 
one.  It  was  a  triumph  of  the  unseen  over  the  visible  ;  a  victory 
of  the  spiritual  over  the  secular.  The  innate  majesty  of  truth 
was  divesting  itself  of  the  trappings  of  conventionality.  The 
gospel  was  ridding  itself  of  the  incrustation  of  ceremony  that 
dulls  its  radiance  and  dims  its  effulgent  lustre.  The  ornate 
furnishing  of  church  or  chapel  were  for  a  time  disused,  and  man 
worshipped  his  God  in  the  temple  of  his  own  uprearing.  He 
knelt  on  his  velvet  sward,  beneath  the  lofty  archway  of  the  sky. 
Yesterday's  meeting  had  evidently  been  effective.  The  concourse 
was  denser  —  the  air  of  anticipation  was  deeper.  Yesterday, 
the  gala-day  aspect  of  the  crowd  was  sometimes  painful ;  to- 
day, it  was  blended  with  the  seriousness  of  the  Sabbath." 

As  a  farther  result  of  the  meetings  —  the  tide  of 
feeling  setting  back  into  the  sourrounding  towns — 
night  after  night,  the  people  in  Portsoy,  Banff,  and 
adjacent  places,  the  masses  assembled,  and  remained 
for  inquiry  hours  together.  At  Skeine,  Aberdeen, 
and  Perth,  in  the  open  air,  immense  gatherings  were 
addressed  by  various  clergymen,  and  hundreds  it  is 
believed,  were  savingly  touched  by  the  power  of 
truth  wielded  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  "  It  was  a 
glorious  sight  to  see  so  vast  a  multitude  evidently 
inoved  by  the  divine  influence." 

In  one  of  the  large  churches  of  Aberdeen,  crowd- 
ed to  its  utmost  capacity,  after  an  earnest  appeal, 
the  expressions  of  anxiety  were  so  general  and 
thrilling,  that  one  of  the  elders  standing  in  the  porch, 


86  IHE   HARVEST  WORK 

called  Mr.  H.  to  the  door  and  said  the  congregation 
must  be  dispersed  —  he  didn't  want  such  excite- 
ment. But  the  people  would  not  go  till  they  were 
driven  away,  and  flocked  to  another  temple  where 
an  inquiry  meeting  was  in  progress,  and  enjoyed  an 
awful,  yet  glorious  and  memorable  season. 

None  can  estimate  the  number  of  hopeful  conver- 
sions during  these  various  meetings ;  but  many  living 
Christians  were  added  to  the  churches,  and  the 
"  outlying  masses,"  carried  with  them  to  their 
scattered  homes,  the  precious  seed  of  the  kingdom. 

The  next  call  to  a  harvest-field,  was  from  Dun- 
fermline, the  birth  place  of  Charles  I.,  in  Rev.  Mr. 
Young's  church,  an  edifice  holding  2000  people, 
where  Ralph  Erskine  and  George  Whitefield  preach- 
ed a  hundred  years  before.  Here  is  the  "  Auld 
Cathedral "  and  Abby  of  Dunfermline,  built  nine 
hundred  years  since  ;  and  here  rest  the  ashes  of 
Robert  Bruce,  the  Hero  in  the  battle  of  Bannock- 
burn. 

Although  interesting  thus  in  historical  associa- 
tions, it  was  a, field  thirsting  for  the  rain  of  grace. 
The  spacious  temple  was  soon  filled,  and  the  baptism 
from  above  fell  upon  the  multitude.  On  one  occa- 
sion, we  notice  in  the  Dunfermline  Press,  of  Sept. 
10th,  1860,  that 

*'  Rev.  Mr.  Hutchinson  said  he  had  cOme  to  the  meeting 
merely  as  a  listener,  but  as  he  had  been  called  upon  to  speak, 
he  would  only  say  a  very  few  words.    Some  people  appeared  to 


OF   THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  87 

be  of  opinion  that  these  meetings  were  out  of  the  way  and  un- 
neccessary,  and  to  correct  this  he  would  just  give  a  few  reasons 
why  he  considered  these  periods  of  revival  as  beneficial.  Many 
thought  the  effect  was  merely  passing  —  in  a  few  weeks  it 
would  wear  away,  but  he  had  the  best  of  all  testimony  —  the 
testimony  of  experience  —  for  saying  that  such  was  not  the 
case.  His  first  impressions  of  religion  had  been  received  at  a 
revival  meeting.  Seventeen  years  ago,  induced  by  the  excite- 
ment caused  by  the  meetings,  he  had  attended  one,  and  it  was 
there  that  he  was  first  awakened  to  a  true  sense  of  his  condition 
as  a  lost  sinner.  To  show  them  that  this  was  not  a  transient 
emotion,  he  might  tell  them  that  thirty-seven  young  men  like 
him  had  also  been  impressed,  and  had  met  together  for  prayer 
and  religious  exercise.  He  had  lost  sight  of  five  of  these,  but 
of  the  remaining  thirty-two  he  could  report  favorably.  Not  one 
of  these  had  fallen  away  from  their  first  hope.  Some  of  them 
had  died  "  the  death  of  the  righteous,"  while  the  others  were, 
like  himself,  doing  their  best  to  live  up  to  their  profession.  So 
much  for  the  testimony  of  experience.  But  he  had  another 
cause  for  believing  in  the  utility  of  these  revival  meetings,  and 
that  was  founded  upon  reason.  He  looked  on  revivals  as  a  vari- 
ety in  God's  mode  of  promoting  our  spiritual  culture.  God  ever 
works  by  the  most  varied  means.  Let  them  look  at  nature. 
There  was  a  time  in  nature  for  the  silent  dew,  and  a  time  for 
the  influence  of  the  genial  sunshine,  and  there  was  also  a  time 
for  the  raging  storm.  So  it  was  also  with  regard  to  religion. 
There  was  a  time  for  the  ordinary  preaching  of  the  Word  ;  a  time 
for  instruction,  for  meditation,  and  Christian  action  ;  and  there 
were  also  seasons  for  arousing,  elevating,  and  refreshing  feeling. 
And  his  intellect  convinced  him  that  a  genuine  revival  was  such 
a  time.  It  was  a  flood-time  in  our  spiritual  experience,which, 
if  embraced,  might  contribute  much  to  the  richness  and  variety 
of  our  religious  life.  In  order,  however,  to  accomplish  this 
end,  it  must  be  real,  it  must  affect  the  whole  intellectual  and 


88  THE   HAKYEST  WOKK 

moral  nature  —  filling  and  animating  the  whole  soul  with  the 
glorious  verities  of  religion." 

During  an  inquiry  meeting,  as  Mr.  H.  was  pass- 
ing down  the  aisle,  a  man  put  out  his  hand,  and  said 
with  great  earnestness,  "  have  you  any  word  for  an 
anxious  sinner  ?  I  have  opposed  the  work  going 
on,  and  thought  the  people  were  getting  daft,  (mad), 
and  I  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  But  one 
night  my  little  girl  came  home  and  inquired  of  me, 
'  Father,  do  you  love  Jesus  ?  I  think  I  love  him.' 
That  was  the  greatest  sermon  I  ever  heard.  Though 
I  had  heard  many,  nothing  pierced  my  heart  like  it. 
I  have  staid  away  three  days  in  distress,  and  have 
come  to  ask  what  I  shall  do  to  be  saved."  He  soon 
found  peace  in  believing,  and  put  up  his  domestic 
altar  ;  the  result,  under  God,  of  an  angel  daughter's 
ministry  of  sanctified  affection. 

Before  the  large  edifice  in  which  meetings  were 
held  was  filled,  the  Evangelist  went  to  the  Cross, 
the  central  place  of  concourse,  and  addressing  the 
people,  invited  them  to  the  house  of  God.  Eev. 
JVtr.  Young,  and  several  theological  students,  follow- 
ed the  example.  On  one  occasion  a  notorious  in- 
fidel threatened  violence  if  this  were  attempted  near 
him.  While  Mr.  Young  was  preaching,  he  was 
smitten  down  like  Saul,  and  soon  after  stood  up  and 
told  the  story  of  his  deliverance  from  the  bondage 
of  sin ;  a  witness  to  the  necessity  and  divine  ap- 
proval of  aggressive  movements  by  the   Church  of 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  89 

Christ,  even  if  they  bear  the  stamp  of  novelty  —  the 
tactics  of  a  consecrated  and  prayerful  zeal  in  the  sal- 
vation of  men. 

Subsequently  Rev.  Mr.  Young  wrote  to  a  friend : 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  is  going 
on  prosperously  here.  On  Sabbath  evening  the  house  was  filled 
from  floor  to  ceiling.  The  numbers  who  remained  to  be  spoken 
with,  also  increase,  and  many  do  seem  to  be  seeking  the  way  of 
salvation.  We  have  many  adversaries,  but  the  Lord  is  with  us, 
and  we  need  not  fear  what  men  shall  do." 

Not  a  few  earnest  Christians  had  long  been  pray- 
ing for  the  Holy  Spirit's  presence,  and  thus  this 
ancient  city  received  the  seal  of  God's  blessing  upon 
that  Gospel,  which  has  made  Scotland  a  name  and 
praise  in  the  earth. 

In  Kircalde,  Montrose,  Dunbar,  Crieff  and  Brech- 
in, very  large  assemblies  were  addressed,  and  sin- 
ners awakened  and  saved  in  that  brief  period  of 
special  effort. 

Oct.  8, 1860,  Mr.  H.  went  to  Edinburgh,  to  supply 
the  pulpit  of  Richmond  Place  Chapel  for  four  weeks, 
and  addressed  meetings  every  night  during  that 
time,  with  an  increasing  measure  of  the  Spirit's  in- 
fluence. Many  from  all  denominations  flocked  to 
Christ.  Dr.  Alexander,  Reginald  Radcliffe,  Richard 
Weaver  and  others  addressed  the  meetings.  The 
Edinburgh  Mercury  says : 

"  On  Monday  evening,  Richard  Weaver  was  advertised  to 
preach  in  Richmond  Place  Chapel  at  eight  o'clock  .  but  before 


90  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

eeven  o'clock  the  house  was  filled,  and  the  services  were  con- 
ducted for  an  hour  by  Mr.  Hammond.  At  eight  o'clock,  Miissrs. 
"Weaver  and  lladcliffe  entered,  and  Mr.  H.was  asked  by  them  to 
go  outside  and  preach  to  the  thousands  crowding  the  streets  be- 
fore the  chapel.  There  was  such  a  crush,  however,  that  the  only 
way  he  could  get  out  was  the  novel  one  of  walking  upon  the 
shoulders  of  the  stalwart  men,  who  compelled  him  to  do 
BO,  and  who  stood  like  a  rock  under  him,  so  eager  were  they 
to  let  him  get  to  preach  to  their  less  fortunate  friends  outside. 
After  Mr.  Weaver  had  preached  for  about  half-an-hour,  he 
preached  again  outside,  and  Mr.  Radcliffe  continued  the 
service  in  the  chapel.  There  were  eighteen  hundred  crush- 
ed into  the  place,  and  hundreds  remained  for  conversation ; 
while  the  preaching  was  going  on  in  the  streets  until 
past  eleven  o'clock.  As  an  opportunity  had  been  given  at  the 
morning  meeting  in  the  same  chapel  for  any  one  to  speak  or 
pray,  a  speaker  said,  that  a  few  nights  before,  when  the  invita- 
tion had  been  given  both  for  those  who  were  anxious  and  those 
who  were  not  anxious,  but  who  might  desire  conversation,  to 
remain,  there  were  two  among  the  latter  who  embraced  the  op- 
portunity. The  conversation  with  those  who  professed  to  have 
no  anxiety  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls  was  blessed  of  God 
in  producing  a  deep  conviction  of  their  lost  condition,  and  he 
trusted  they  were  now  striving  to  live  for  Jesus.  He  believed 
that  good  impressions  were  often  lost,from  the  want  of  a  more 
cordial  invitation  to  remain  for  personal  conversation  and 
special  prayer.  Another  gentleman  said,  that  the  previous 
night  a  young  lady  was  passing  from  the  meeting  unimpressed 
by  the  words  of  the  minister.  While  passing  out,  she  was  ask- 
ed kindly  if  she  was  in  the  '  ark,'  referring  to  what  had  been 
the  subject.  That  simple  question  was  the  first  arrow  that  had 
ever  pierced  her  heart,  and  was  the  instrument  in  awakening 
her  to  a  sense  of  her  lost  condition.  She  found  little  sleep  that 
night.      Afterwards  she  said,    '  I  hare  been  a  member  of  a 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  91 

church  seven  years  in  Edinburgh,  but  those  were  the  first  words 
that  ever  manifested  any  interest  about  my  soul.'  The  same 
speaker  said  that  in  Dundee,  at  the  close  of  a  large  meeting,  it 
was  requested  that  if  there  were  any  scoffers  present  they 
would  remain  in  a  part  of  the  house  designated.  A  number  of 
professed  scoffers  remained.  The  first  one  when  asked  if  he  was 
a  scoffer,  said,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  'I  came  here  one,  but 
am  not  so  now  ; '  and,  said  the  speaker,  every  one  of  those  pro- 
fessed scoffers  was  smitten  with  a  deep  sense  of  guilt. 

"Such  things  as  the  following  are  spoken  of  as  taking  place 
there  nightly  :  —  A  lady, on  the  way  to  the  chapel,  spoke  to  a 
young  woman  on  the  street  and  invited  her  to  come  to  the  meet- 
ing. She  did  so  ;  and,  as  Mr.  Hammond  was  describing  sin 
with  great  impressiveness,  the  young  woman  began  to  weep 
very  bitterly,  and  continued  inconsolable  after  the  meeting  was 
closed.  She  had  been  in  agony  for  a  great  part  of  the  night ; 
but  she  appeared  at  the  next  morning  prayer-meeting  with  a 
beaming  countenance,  having  found  '  peace  in  believing.'  This 
prayer-meeting  is  held  from  half  past  nine  to  ten  o'clock  every 
morning.  It  is  on  the  model  of  the  Fulton  Street  prayer-meet- 
ing, New  York  —  an  open  meeting.  Three  addresses,  one  read- 
ing of  the  Scriptures,  three  singings,  and  five  requests  for 
prayer  are  read  and  commented  on,  and  three  or  four  prayers 
offered,  all  in  the  space  of  half  an  hour  !  " 

Tillicoultry,  a  village  of  four  or  ^ye  thousand  in- 
habitants, under  the  shadow  of  the  Achil  range  of 
mountains,  was  the  scene  of  a  rich  effusion  of  the 
quickening  Spirit.  We  cannot  omit  just  at  this 
point,  a  quotation  from  a  letter  written  to  his  mother 
by  Mr.  Hammond,  after  visiting  one  of  these  sum- 
mits: 

"  I  ascended  the  mountain  yesterday,  and  a  grander  sight  I 
scarcely  saw  in  all  Switzerland.     No  scene  hardly  ever  made  a 


92  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

greater  and  more  suggestive  impression  on  my  mind.  It  would 
take  pages  to  describe  it  all  to  you,  and  to  speak  of  the  thoughts 
suggested.  I  thought  of  you,  dearest  mother,  and  the  time 
when  I  should  meet  you  in  the  promised  land,  away  from 
lifes  sorrows.  When  near  the  middle  of  the  mountain,  a 
cloud  of  beautiful  mist  rested  on  its  snow-white  summit,  and 
another  cloud  below  us  shut  out  the  sight  of  the  smoky  village. 
Time  seemed  to  be  no  more,  and  we  were  gazing  away  to  the 
delectable  mountains  and  to  the  golden  city.  Oh,  mother,  we 
shall  meet  above,  and  we  shall  see  our  blessed  Jesus  there,  who 
was  a  *  man  of  sorrows  '  here  on  earth '  and  acquainted  with 
grief.'  Let  us  rejoice  to  know  that  even  now  he  sympathizes 
with  us,  that  He  is  *  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmi- 
ties.' One  hundred  anxious  inquirers  remained  for  conversa- 
tion here  last  night." 

The  daily  services  in  Tillicoultry  commenced 
Nov.  16th,  under  the  influence  of  all  the  evangelical 
denominations.  One  of  the  clergymen  thus  vrriteg 
for  a  Glasgow  paper : 

"  For  some  months  past  we  have  met  together  in  a  union 
prayer-meeting,  to  seek  a  revival  of  grace  among  Christians, 
and  a  breaking  forth  of  saving  inquiry  among  the  unconverted. 
All  the  ministers  of  the  place  have  taken  part,  and  presided  in 
rotation  at  these  meetings.  The  deadness  of  the  spirit  and 
prayers  of  the  meeting  for  a  time  showed  how  much  we  needed 
to  be  revived.  We  at  last  invited  Mr.  Hammond,  who  has  been 
laboring  in  revival  work  for  some  months  past  in  our  country, 
and  who  had  given  us  a  flying  visit  for  one  evening,  to  come 
and  labor  among  us  for  a  few  nights.  He  came  ;  the  Lord 
owned  his  labors,  and  he  spent  a  precious  week  with  us.  The 
meetings  in  the  Popular  Institute  Hall  grew  in  numbers  to  the 
last,  and  on  Sabbath  evening  last  about  1400  were  present.    At 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  93 

the  close  of  the  address  each  evening ,  there  was  a  second  meet- 
ing, called  'The  Inquiry  Meeting.'  Toward  the  close  of  the 
week  from  200  to  300  waited  to  it ;  numbers  of  them  were 
deeply  convinced  of  sin,  and  waited  to  be  guided  to  the 
Saviour ;  numbers,  were  Christians,  who  waited  to  direct  the 
anxious  to  Christ ;  numbers  waited  through  mere  curiosity  to 
Bee  what  was  to  be  done ;  and  a  few  waited  to  mock. 

♦*  Prayer-meetings  among  the  boys  by  themselves,  and  among 
the  girls  by  themselves,  have  sprung  spontaneoubly  up  in  some 
of  the  factories.  False  professors  of  Christianity  are  breaking 
down.  Unconverted  communicants  in  churches  are  among  the 
inquirers,  confessing  themselves  yet  unsaved.  There  ie  no 
striking  down,  nor  any  development  whatever  of  hysteric  ex- 
citement ;  all  is  deep  and  quiet  and  orderly  among  the  awaken- 
ed. The  Christians  are  laboring  in  season  and  out  of  season. 
It  is  fatiguing  to  lose  sleep,  and  to  be  exposed  to  numerous 
inconveniences,  but  let  us  not  seek  our  own,  but  every  man 
the  things  of  others  ;  let  this  self-sacrificing  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
be  in  us,  who,  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  became 
poor,  that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be  made  rich.  Let 
us  understand  and  love  these  lines  of  R.  C.  Trench :  — 

*  The  seed  must  die  before  the  corn  appears 
Out  of  the  groimd,  with  blade  and  fruitful  ears. 
Low  must  these  ears  by  sickle's  edge  be  lain. 
Ere  we  can  treasure  up  the  golden  grain. 
The  grain  is  crushed  before  the  bread  is  made. 
And  the  bread  broke  e'er  life  to  man  conveyed. 
Oh!  be  content  to  die  and  be  laid  low. 
And  to  be  crushed,  and  to  be  broken  so. 
If  thou  upon  God's  table  mayest  be  bread, 
Life-giving  food  for  souls  an  hungered.' 

"  It  is  delightful  to  see  some  of  our  most  influential  men  and 
ladies  working  side  by  side  with  the  humblest  Christian  in 
the  inquiry  meeting.  It  mightily  shuts  the  mouth  of  prejudice, 
and  comes  to  the  help  of  the  Lord." 


94  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

Meetings  of  a  similar  kind  were  held  in  Lin- 
lithgow, the  old  residence  of  the  Kings  of  Scotland  ; 
and  a  number  were  redeemed  to  become  eternally 
"  kings  and  priests  unto  God." 

At  Motherwell  and  Wishaw,  about  twenty  miles 
from  Glasgow,  in  the  great  coal  region  of  Scotland, 
followed  rich  displays  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  victorious 
might.  Strong  men  bowed  before  his  presence,  and 
declared, in  the  great  congregation,  what  God  had 
wrought  in  their  behalf,  with  tears  and  hearts  aglow 
with  the  new  life  "  hid  with  Christ  in  God  " 

The  Edinburgh  Mercury  contained  a  report 
respecting  the  character  of  the  awakening  there, 
from  which  we  take  a  few  extracts  : 

"  At  a  meeting  held  in  Richmond  Place  Chapel,  Edinburgh, 
on  Monday  night,  some  statements  of  a  very  interesting  kind 
were  made  regarding  the  awakening  in  Wishaw  and  Mother- 
well. After  a  speaker,  who  had  been  there  a  fortnight  ago, 
had  given  a  statement  of  what  he  had  seen  in  these  places  of 
the  commencement  of  the  work  of  revival,  the  Rev.  William 
Reid  was  asked  to  address  the  meeting.  He  began  by  saying 
that  he  could,  from  his  own  personal  knowledge,  confirm  all 
that  had  just  been  said  about  the  wonderful  awakening  that 
was  going  on  in  the  mining  districts  referred  to.  He  had  been 
at  Motherwell  some  time  ago,  and  had  spoken  to  a  full  church 
on  a  week  evening  ;  and  had  seen  many  there  who  had  been  not 
only  greatly  reformed  and  rendered  sober  and  serious,  but  who 
were  hopefully  converted.  With  regard  to  Wishaw,  he  had 
been  there  last  Sabbath,  and  he  had  seldom  seen  anything  like 
the  intense  religious  anxiety  manifested  by  the  multitude,  which 
assembled  to  hear  the  word  in  the  evening  in  the  public  schooL 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  95 

They  seemed  to  hear  of  the  living  water  like  men  dyiiig  of 
thirst ;  and  many  of  them  came  to  JesuB  and  drank.  The 
building  in  which  they  sat  was  filled  to  overflowing,  long  before 
the  hour  for  commencing  the  services,  and  many  returned  home 
who  could  not  get  admittance,  while  some  hundreds  were  con- 
tented with  standing-room  during  the  whole  evening.  At  the 
close  of  the  regular  service,  about  three  hundred  remained  for 
the  inquirers  meeting,  and  about  one-half  of  them  seemed  to 
be  awakened,  and  to  be  the  subjects  of  spiritual  anxiety.  Men 
were  dealt  with  in  one  room  by  themselves,  and  women  in 
another  room  ;  and  even  when  nearly  three  hours  had  elapsed 
tlie  cases  of  awakening  had  not  been  all  attended  to.  It  was 
not  only  the  poor  and  illiterate  that  had  been  affected,  but  men 
and  women  of  education  and  superior  circumstances'.  He  had 
Been  nothing  like  the  religious  anxieties  he  then  witnessed, since 
the  visit  of  Messrs.  Radcliffe  and  Weaver  to  this  city  ;  and  he 
could  not  but  thank  God,  from  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  for  the 
indefatigable  labors  of  his  brother,  Mr.  Hammond,  through 
whose  instrumentality  this  great  awakening  had  taken  place. 
His  services  are  most  valuable.  Every  man  has  his  own  gift 
and  work;  and  Mr.  H.,  he- believed,  was  specially  fitted  for 
breaking  up  the  fallow  ground,  and  commencing  a  series  of  re- 
vival meetings." 

A  well-known  physician  furnished  an  example  in 
his  own  experience,  of  striking  conversion.  For 
twenty  years  he  had  been  a  professor  of  religion, 
joining  the  church  in  accordance  with  a  custom  in 
Scotland,  which  the  Rev.  James  Smith  of  the  estab- 
lishment, in  Aberdeen,  so  pointedly  condemns  ;  that 
of  receiving  persons  to  the  communion  upon  pro- 
fession of  an  orthodox,  instead  of  a  saving  acquaint- 
ance with  Christ.     Mr.  S.  thinks  half  of  the  cases 


96  THE  HARVEST    WORK 

of  conversion  in  the  revivals,  were  connected  with 
the  churches. 

Dr.  M.  was  at  first  bitterly  hostile  to  the  measures, 
and  severely  rebuked  his  servants  for  remaining  to 
a  late  hour  at  the  services.  Soon  after,  from 
curiosity,  he  went,  and  was  urged  by  a  friend  to  re- 
main with  him  to  the  meeting  for  inquiry.  He  re- 
fused, adding,  ''the  place  was  too  hot  for  him." 
But  meeting  Mr.  H.  in  the  street,  not  well,  he  pro- 
posed kindly  to  prescribe,  a  pretext  to  open  the  way 
for  personal  conversation. 

Upon  entering  his  parlor,  the  Cross  was  present- 
ed, but  his  proud  heart  rebelled.  He  was  willing 
to  send  to  London  for  books  to  read, —  would  do 
anything  himself, —  like  the  Assyrian  when  bidden 
to  wash  in  Jordan.  With  a  gentle  pressure  of  the 
hand,  he  was  urged  to  bow  and  submit  to  Christ  at 
once.  He  yielded,  and  as  he  expressed  it,  "  closed 
with  Jesus  that  hour."  A  few  evenings  later,  with 
his  wife  happy  in  the  smiles  of  the  Lord,  he  was 
pointing  the  anxious  to  Calvary ;  leaving  the 
sanctuary  at  midnight,  often,  in  his  self-forgetful 
zeal;  and  afterward  went  abroad  preaching  the 
word. 

The  Glasgow  Herald  contained  the  clear,  sharp 
answer  below  to  criticisms  upon  the  "  religious  ex- 
citement : " 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  97 

*'  Wishaw,  April  17,  1861. 
»  Sir,  —  Your  correspondent  *  Imprimatur,'  in  the  Herald  of 
to-day,  expresses  his  astonishment  that  you  have  not  raised 
your  warning  voice  against  the  '  dangerous  and  immoral  ten- 
dencies of  so-called  revival  meetings.'  I  suppose  he  means 
those  held  in  Glasgow.  I  hope,  Sir,  you  will  believe  me  that 
I  am  equally  surprised,  that  you  have  of  late  opened  your 
columns  to  a  one-sided  view  of  this  great  movement ;  and  would 
not  have  troubled  you  with  any  remarks  on  the  matter,  had 
your  correspondent  from  Inveraray  yesterday,  and  *  Imprima- 
tur '  to-day,  given  the  public  the  least  hint  that  they  knew 
anything  of  the  movement  at  all,  its  designs  and  results.  I  beg 
to  inform  them  that  I  live  in  the  midst  of  a  large  mining 
population,  which  was  visited  by  Mr.  Hammond  five  months 
ago.  When  it  was  announced  that  he  was  to  hold  revival  meet- 
ings, I  determined  to  make  myself  judge  of  the  whole  matter, 
and  attended  nearly  all  the  meetings  he  held  in  this  place,  and 
fully  expected  to  have  heard  terrorism  in  aU  its  force  evapo- 
rated from  him ;  but, instead  of  this,  it  was  completely  the  re- 
Terse  ;  not  a  word  was  spoken  of  an  alarming  nature  that  was 
not  quoted  from  the  words  of  Jesus  himself.  I  kept  a  strict 
w^atch  on  all  I  saw,  and  found  nothing  to  alarm  or  disturb  even 
Ihe  most  fastidious.  All  was  solemnity,  and  quite  in  unison 
with  the  circumstances  of  the  people  assembled.  And  now 
that  the  movement  is  five  months  old  in  this  place,  one  would 
be  led  to  believe,  from  the  remarks  of  *  Imprimatur,'  that  the 
bad  efiects  of  these  meetings  would  be  telling  upon  the  com- 
munity, and  the  '  young  females  '  in  particular.  I  am  proud 
to  say,  that  no  such  cases  have  occurred  in  all  the  circle  of  my 
acquaintance  with  the  movement ;  and  I  am  apt  to  believe,  that 
your  correspondent  resembles  much  those  so-called  Christians, 
who  deny  the  right  of  any  person  to  meet  for  prayer  after  sun- 
set, but  who  would  frankly  and  freely  give  accommodation  to 
parties  of  young  men  and  women  to  meet  in  their  rooms,  bams, 


98  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

&c.,  to  drink,  dance,  and  sing  till  morning.  On  the  contrary, 
I  can  point  to  men,  both  rich  and  poor,  in  this  locality,  who, 
previous  to  these  meetings,  were  infidels,  scoffers,  drunkards, 
swearers,  wife-beaters,  &c.,  and  who  have  now  become  regular 
church-goers  —  sober,  industrious,  and  good  members  of  the 
community.  And,  with  regard  to  the  invitations  that  are 
spoken  of  by  your  correspondent,  such  as  *  Come  to  Jesus,'  I 
must  say  it  is  better  to  hear  a  company  of  men  and  women  call- 
ing upon  one  another  in  this  manner,  than  inviting  one  another 
to  the  dram-shop.  And,  as  an  instance  of  what  has  occurred  in 
this  place  on  the  pay  night  at  some  of  the  public  works,  instead 
of  men  entreating  one  another  to  go  and  drink  their  wages 
after  they  get  them,  they  go  in  bands  and  pray  together  till 
midnight ;  and  if  these  meetings  have  been  the  means  of  mak- 
ing happy  one  fireside,  they  certainly  should  '  Imprimatur ' 
also.  I  hope  that  your  correspondent,  who  assumes  this  name, 
will  seriously  look  into  the  whole  case,before  he  solicits  you  to 
warn  the  public  from  attending  meetings  which  have  no  other 
object  in  view*  than  to  make  them  followers  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Jesus,  and  good  moral  subjects  of  our  beloved  Queen. 

I  am,  &c., 

Audi  Alteram  Partem." 

In  Mr.  H's  first  memorandum  of  the  New  Year, 
he  writes  :  "  It  is  safe  to  record,  that  after  care  fill 
calculation,  about  seventeen  hundred  profess  to  have 
been  awakened  and  found  Jesus,  within  the  past 
year.  Many  more  have  been  led  to  ask  the  great 
question,  '  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  and  how 
many  of  these  have  since  found  peace,  the  judg- 
ment day  alone  can  determine.  May  the  Lord  ever 
lead  me  to  feel  ray  own  nothingness  and  Christ's 
fullness,  and  to  remember  that    it  is  not  by  might, 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  99 

nor  by  power  of  man,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord.'  " 
How  true  the  words  of  Dr.  Bonar, 

**  He  liveth  long  who  liveth  well, 
All  outer  life  is  short  and  vain, 
He  liveth  longest  who  can  tell 

Of  living  most  for  heavenly  gain. 

Waste  not  thy  being  ;  back  to  Him, 

Who  freely  gave  it,  freely  give, 
Else  is  that  being  but  a  dream, 

'Tis  but  to  bCf  and  not  to  lire." 


CHAPTEK  ly. 

The  work  of  God  in  Annan.  Testimony  for  a  secular  paper.  Rev. 
Mr.  Gardiner  of  the  established  Church.  Other  statements  and 
incidents.  The  work  extends  to  Dumfries.  Its  progress.  Stirring 
scenes  and  incidents.  The  Soldier.  The  Infidel.  The  means  of 
success  in  -winning  souls, 

January  13th,  1861,  in  Annan,  a  pleasant  town 
in  the  south  of  Scotland,  on  Solway  Firth,  containing  a 
few  thousand  inhabitants,  but  a  centre  of  business 
importance,  daily  services  were  commenced.  The 
clergy  united  in  the  holy  enterprize  warmly  and 
devotedly. 

The  Dumfries  Standard  makes  the  following  re- 
cord : 

"  The  meetings  have  been  crowded  to  excess,  many  having 
been  forced  to  go  away  from  want  of  room,  while  three  to  four 
hundred  people  have  remained  after  ten  o'clock,  and  been  oc- 
cupied until  midnight,  in  receiving  spiritual  assistance.  Scores 
of  persons  who  had  never  before  seriously  thought  of  death, 
judgment,  and  eternity,  have,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  remained 
at  the  inquiry  meetings,  and  conversed  most  anxiously  about 
the  state  of  their  souls.  The  aspect  of  the  town  has,  in  conse- 
quence of  this  revival,  been  completely  changed.  It  is  not  now 
on  matters  of  amusement  or  business  that  the  conversation 
turns.  Every  one  talks  of  the  great  religious  change,  and 
wonders  now  that  so  much  scepticism  about  the  revival  in 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  101 

Ulster  and  tJic  West  of  Scotland  had  before  prevailed  among 
the  mhabitants  of  Annan.  Many  young  sailors,  who  had 
scarcely  ever  attended  a  place  of  worship,  have  been  brought 
to  a  knowledge  of  their  Saviour  ;  many  a  drunkard  has  desert- 
ed the  public-house  in  horror  of  his  previous  life  ;  the  artisans 
of  the  town  have  abandoned  the  corners  where  they  lounged  in 
the  evenings,  and  have  betaken  themselves  to  prayor  and  medi- 
tation ;  and  even  '  the  Arabs  '  of  the  burgh,  the  boys  who 
were  for  ever  shouting  and  yelling  about  the  streets,  have  every 
evening  been  engaged  in  singing  psalms  and  hymns.  The  week 
has  also  been  a  busy  one  with  the  ministers  of  the  town,  who, 
not  content  with  the  spiritual  comfort  they  afforded  to  the 
anxious  during  the  inquiry  meetings,  have  been  engaged  during 
the  day  in  calling  on  those  who  are  the  most  distressed  about 
their  souls  salvation.  Many  souls  seem  to  have  found  '  perfect 
peace.'  The  young  of  both  sexes  have  shared  most  largely  in 
the  blessing  —  though  grown-up  persons,  and  even  aged  men 
and  women,  and  in  some  instances  husbands  and  wives  together, 
have  publicly  inquired  after,  sought,  and  found  the  Saviour.  It 
is  a  season  of  great  joy  to  all  the  Lord's  people  in  Annan. 
The  blending  of  hearts  in  Christian  love  is  amazing  to  behold 
in  so  short  a  time. 

"  All  the  usual  features  of  deep  religious  awakenings  else- 
where are  strongly  marked  here,  with  the  exception  of  '  prostra- 
tions'  and  extravagances,  for  which  praise  is  due  to  God. 
During  the  addresses,  solemn  earnest  attention  is  the  only 
feature  visible  on  the  audience,  but  when  the  public  meeting  is 
over,  and  the  ministers  and  other  Christian  friends  move  among 
the  anxious  from  pew  to  pew,  the  power  of  God's  truth  in  con- 
vincing of  sin  is  manifest,  and,  to  an  onlooker  who  has  a  heart 
to  sympathize  with  the  work  of  saving  conversion  to  Christ, 
nothing  can  possibly  be  more  solemnising,  than  to  see  through- 
out all  the  church,  on  ground-floor  and  galleries,  groups  in 
e»meet  close  conversation  on  the  great  ooncems  of  their  soul : 


102  1"HE   HARVEST    WORK 

and  by  and  by  the  groups  kneeling,  or,  if  too  crowded,  their 
heads  bowed  on  the  book-boards,  when  prayer  is  made  to  God 
on  their  behalf.  An  avowed  infidel,  who  came  several  miles  to 
see  and  scoff,  was  convicted  and  converted  the  same  night. 
Several  young  men  have  publicly  professed  their  faith  in  Jesus, 
and  have  given  an  intelligent  account  of  their  change  of  heart. 
The  public  mind  is  deeply  moved.  A  solemn  awe  seems  to  hang 
over  the  whole  community.  Scoffers  there  still  are,  and  likely 
will  be  ;  but  many  who  warmly  opposed  at  first  now  more 
warmly  approve.  The  prayers  of  God's  people  are  asked  for 
Annan." 

Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner,  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  a  meeting  of  Synod  in  May,  1861,  four 
months  later  remarked: 

"  Having  adopted  the  recommendation  of  the  Liverpool  Con- 
ference of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  to  hold  a  week  of  special 
prayer  for  the  revival  of  vital  godliness,  the  week  commencing 
on  the  6th  and  closing  on  the  13th  January  of  the  present  year, 
they  found  the  nightly  meetings  well  attended,  and  a  peculiarly 
solemn  spirit  pervading  them  during  the  entire  week.  The 
way  of  the  Lord  being  thus  prepared,  so  to  speak,  Edward 
Payson  Hammond,  who  was  previously  little  known  to  any  of 
them,  even  by  report,  began  his  labors  among  them  as  an  Evan- 
gelist on  Sabbath,  13th  January,  and  succeeded  in  inducing  a 
goodly  number  to  remain  for  conversation  on  the  concerns  of 
the  soul  after  the  regular  service  was  over.  At  this  meeting  a 
few  were  found  to  be  in  a  state  of  anxiety,  while  the  greater 
proportion  were  present  probably  from  motives  of  mere 
curiosity.  The  movement  thus  inaugurated  gathered  strength 
night  after  night,  from  that  date,  with  a  rapidity  truly  sur- 
prising, and  continues  in  vigorous  action  to  the  present  time. 
Crowds  flocked  to  Annan,  from  ten  or  twelve  parishes  around, 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  103 

for  spiritual  benefit,  and  usually  remained  to  a  late  hour. 
Many,  very  many,  after  passing  through  a  longer  or  shorter 
period  of  soul-conflict,  gladly  received  the  Word,  and  returned 
to  their  homes  as  in  primitive  times  to  tell  what  God  had  done 
for  their  souls,  thereby  widening  and  deepening  the  interest  in 
the  work,  and  prompting  others  to  utter  the  earnest  cry, 
*  What  must  we  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  insomuch  that  within  less 
than  a  month  the  awakening  might  be  said  to  have  embraced 
the  whole  of  the  south  of  Scotland.  All  classes  of  persons, 
too,  were  brought  under  the  blessed  influence  —  the  young  and 
the  old,  church-goers  and  church-neglectors,  masters  and  men, 
ladies  and  maids  —  all  were  equally  stirred  to  the  very  depths 
of  their  nature,  and  were  to  be  found  sitting  side  by  side  in  the 
inquiry  meetings,  directing  or  being  directed  to  '  The  Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.'  A  kindly  Chris- 
tian sympathy  took  possession  of  all  hearts,  rendering  the  peo- 
ple oblivious  of  class  distinctions,  and  causing  them  to  realize 
theh*  common  brotherhood  in  nature  and  in  grace.  Nor  was 
any  particular  view  of  their  state  before  God  peculiar  to  any 
one  class  of  the  awakened.  In  each  class  some  were  affected  by 
an  awful  consciousness  of  their  spiritual  death,  others  by  a  sense 
of  their  guilt  as  rebels  against  God,  and  others  by  a  perception 
of  the  danger  to  which  they  were  exposed  on  account  of  their 
continued  unbelief  of  the  truth  ;  while  probably  the  larger 
number  were  deeply  penetrated  with  godly  sorrow  for  their 
gospel-hardened  insensibility  to  the  great  and  unparalleled  love 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  Rev.  gentleman  then  bore  testimony 
to  the  beneficial  effects  of  the  revival  on  the  morals  of  the  peo- 
ple. Total  abstainers,  themselves  being  judges,  testified  that 
no  agency  ever  employed  has  effected  a  tithe  of  the  good,  in  the 
direction  of  sobriety  and  temperance,  that  the  revival  has  ac- 
complished—  and  accomplished,  too,  without,  or  almost  with- 
out, any  reference  to  this  particular  sin.  Of  the  number  who 
have  been  hopefully  converted  to  God,  in  and  aiound  Annan, 


104  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

during  this  season  of  refreshing,  he  could  form  no  correct  esti- 
mate ;  but  he  believed  he  was  understating  the  truth  when  he 
said, that  he  had  himself  conversed  with  upwards  of  five  hun- 
dred anxious  inquirers,  the  great  majority  of  whom  professed  to 
have  '  believed  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness,'  and  who, 
with  a  single  exception,  are  giving  evidence  of  a  saving  change, 
by  bringing  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  in  an  eminent  degree. 
He  might  just  be  allowed  to  add,  that  all  who  had  visited  them 
had  been  pleased  to  bear  a  unanimous  testimony  to  the  thorough- 
ness of  the  work  in  Annan." 

The  testimony  of  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner,  of  the  Es- 
tablished Church,  is  very  emphatic : 

"  Living  in  that  little  town,  which  has  been  so  conspicuously 
the  scene  of  revival,  himself  engaged  in  much  of  that  work, 
likewise  intimately  associated  with  those  who  have  been  (under 
the  hand  of  God)  the  most  prominent  agents  in  the  movement 
there,  revival  was  to  him  a  grand  spiritual  reality,  an  incon- 
testible  fact.  Holding  these  convictions,  and  warm  from  the 
influences  of  this  reviving  religious  life,  he  had  come  to  Glas- 
gow, where  a  similar  work  was  positively  going  forward.  But, 
when  inquiring  with  intelligent  curiosity  respecting  it,  what 
was  his  surprise  to  find  that,  in  many  circles  of  society,  it  was 
still  the  subject  of  cavil,  and  denial  ?  It  was  a  disclosure  of 
how  tenacious  we  are  in  this  country  of  the  hereditary  and  tra- 
ditional, and  of  the  distrustfulness  with  which  we  regard  any- 
thing approaching  innovation,  though  that  should  be  nothing 
else  than  the  outcoming  of  the  requirements  of  progress.  Mr. 
Gardiner  went  on  to  say  that  in  some  quarters,  to  his  great  sur- 
prise, he  had  found  it  even  painful  defending  revivals  here,  and 
that  were  he  to  accept  of  the  exaggerated  accounts  which  he 
found  circulating,  he  would  have  been  led  to  think  that  all  who 
were  interested  in  these  meetings,  the  audiences  not  less  than 
the  leaders  of  the  services,  were  little  short  of  fools  and  mad- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  105 

men.  Leaving  these  prejudices,  which  he  believed  would  dis- 
appear in  this  city  as  they  had  done  elsewhere,  he  could  with 
more  pleasure  speak  of  what  had  taken  place  in  Annan.  There, 
no  longer  any  doubt  was  expressed  regarding  the  veritable 
work  of  the  Spirit.  The  effects  of  its  operations  were  so  ap- 
parent, that  they  had  an  existing  witness  in  the  changed  lives 
of  many,  the  full  churches,  and  the  eagerness  for  religious  in- 
struction, and  the  cordiality  subsisting  now  between  class  and 
class.  For  two  years  previous  they  had  weekly  prayer-meet- 
ings, and  many  other  additional  instrumentalities,  eagerly 
desiring  to  obtain  heaven's  blessing  upon  a  town  which  seemed 
so  dead.  All  that  time  the  heavens  appeared  as  brass  above 
them.  One  minister  visited  Ireland  during  the  great  revival,  to 
bring  home  intelligence  of  the  doings  there.  StilL  there  was 
no  visible  change,  though  perhaps  these  recitals  awakened  ex- 
pectation. These  were  the  needful  preparations,  he  believed ; 
but  true  revival  came  to  Annan  with  Mr.  Hammond's  visit 
there.  From  a  chill,  dreary  wilderness,  it  was  now  vernal  as  a 
garden  in  spring.  The  good  fellowship  that  now  subsisted 
among  the  different  bodies  of  Christians,  the  willingness  to 
leave  minor  differences  in  abeyance,  and  heartily  co-operate  in 
the  advancement  of  the  chief  duty  of  winning  souls  to  Christ, 
were  in  themselves  blessings  which  he  hoped  would  long  con- 
tinue to  mark  the  religious  life  in  Annan,  and  were  some  of 
the  means  which  were  most  likely  to  promote  spiritual  advance- 
ment. It  would  be  well  for  Christians  to  concentrate  their 
minds  on  God's  work,  and  cease  to  prescribe  its  conditions, 
since  we  were  seeing  in  every  quarter  that,  irrespective  of  our 
preferences  and  pre-conceived  notions,  the  work  was  begun  and 
carried  on,  and  countless  souls  the  while  redeemed  from  death  to 
life.  He  might  further  state  that,  in  many  of  the  churches  in 
the  neighborhood,  and  in  most  instances  where  the  ministers  of 
these  different  places  had  taken  no  interest  in  the  revival,  re- 
vival had  in  measure  reached  them  through  the  visits  and  the 


103  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

intercourse  which  their  people  had  had  with  the  awakened  peo- 
ple of  Annan." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Young,  Independent,  contributed 
to  the  papers  of  the  Congregational  Union,  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  Of  the  number  of  conversions  I  can  form  no  sort  of  esti- 
mate. They  are  of  all  churches,  ranks,  and  ages.  Leading 
men  in  the  town  have  taken,  and  are  still  taking,  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  work.  The  young  have  been  most  abundantly 
blessed.  Three  days  ago,  I  observed  to  an  intelligent  Christian 
friend,  *  It  really  seems  as  if  all  the  young  men  were  convert- 
ed.' He  gave  a  cordial  assent,  and  added  that  the  same  might 
be  said  of  the  young  women.  Of  course,  I  am  far  from 
believing  that  this  is  literally  true  of  either  class.  Doubtless 
there  are  many  of  the  young,  as  well  as  of  the  old,  who  are 
unsaved  still ;  but  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  the  number  of  the 
saved  is  very  large  indeed.  That  the  Lord  may  still  enlarge  it 
is  our  earnest  prayer  ;  it  is  also  what  we  anticipate. 

"  Requests  for  prayer  in  special  cases  have  been  very 
numerous.  I  find  that  I  have  in  my  possession  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  and  these  are  not  nearly  the  whole.  Most 
striking  have  been  some  of  the  answers.  On  one  Thursday 
evening,  a  Christian  husband  asked  us  to  pray  for  his  wife  and 
two  sons.  Tne  former  was  then,  and  had  been  for  years,  an  in- 
veterate opponent.  Yet  only  two  nights  after  the  husband 
could  request  us  to  give  God  thanks  because  his  wife  and  one 
eon  had  been  converted  !  One  other  case  I  may  give.  A 
thoughtless,  though  amiable  young  man,  was  one  evening 
specially  prayed  for.  He  was  not  at  the  meeting  ;  yet  about 
the  time  that  the  petition  was  being  presented,  the  Lord  deeply 
convinced  him  of  sin ;  before^  next  night  he  had  peace  in 
believing,  and  on  the  second  night  he  was  earnestly  seeking  the 
ealvation  of  others  !     He  still  goes  on  well.     Other  cases,  al- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  107 

most  as  noted,  have  rebuked  our  unbelief,  and  have  shown  that 
if  God's  people  will  only  trust  him,  he  will  do  '  exceeding 
abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think.' 

"  Very  blessed  has  been  the  work  among  the  children,  and 
especially  among  such  as  had  been  under  Sabbath  school  in- 
struction. There  is  ample  evidence  already  —  and  the  evidence, 
we  hope,  will  accumulate  —  that  not  a  few  of  the  scholars 
have  passed  from  death  unto  life. 

**  As  the  work  was  in  all  the  churches,  I  should  be  sorry  to  speak 
as  if  it  had  any  peculiar  connexion  with  one  of  them.  It 
has  not.  Yet  with  deep  gratitude  I  have  to  say,  that  our  own 
congregation  have  received  large  blessings,  that  our  church 
members  have  taken  at  the  very  least  their  full  share  of  direct- 
ing inquirers,  that  they  have  sacrificed  much  in  order  to  come 
to  the  meetings,  and  that  in  blessings  bestowed  upon  them- 
selves and  upon  their  families,  their  large  sacrifices  have  been 
amply  repaid.  To  one  thing  I  world  ask  special  attention.  It 
has  been  where,  in  time  or  money,  the  largest  sacrifices  have 
been  made  that  the  largest  amount  of  blessings  have  been  re- 
ceived. 

"I  have  said  nothing  of  the  Sabbath  meetings  in  our  own 
place  of  worship.  These  have  been  such  times  of  refreshing 
as  I  never  expected  to  have  seen.  Sermons  have  not  been  re- 
quired, and  would  have  been  quite  unseasonable.  Thanksgiv- 
ing for  the  general  awakening,  and  for  blessings  to  families  and 
individuals —  brief,  pointed  exhortations,  obviously  coming 
from  the  heart,  and  eliciting  from  other  hearts  an  earnest 
response  —  the  observance  of  the  ordinance  of  the  Supper  with 
a  deeper  feeling  of  humility  and  thankfulness  than  we  had  ever 
before  been  able  to  cherish —  conversation  with  inquirers  at  the 
close,  and  finding  that  under  some  brief  address  or  during  the 
conversation  souls  have  been  saved  —  much  fervent  prayer  for 
the  continued  progress  of  the  work  —  this  gives  only  a  faint 
idea  of  what  our  Sabbath  meetings  have  been.    Often  before 


108  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

have  we  hal  special  reasons  for  thanksgiving.  To  the  praise  of 
divine  grace  we  acknowledge,  that  even  in  times  past  the  Lord 
has  given  us  numerous  cases  of  conversion.  But  now,  even  in 
our  own  congregation,  they  are  far  more  numerous  ;  and  we  are 
only  the  more  thankful  as  we  think  that,  as  to  conversions  at 
least,  other  congregations  have  shared  still  more  largely  in  the 
blessing.  A  writer  in  the  Dumfries  Standard,  writing  of  the 
revival  here,  says  very  truly,  '  Members  and  adherents  of  the 
various  churches,  who  had  borne  the  character  of  virtuous 
and  religious,  among  whom  are  not  a  few  of  the  principal  in- 
habitants of  the  town  and  neighborhood,  have  not  been 
ashamed  to  stay  for  the  inquiry  meetings,  with  a  view  to  be 
conversed  with  and  prayed  with.  Many  of  the  worst  and 
hopelessly  godless  characters  of  the  town,  who  were  never 
known  to  think  about  or  care  for  their  souls,  are  in  nightly 
attendance.  Several  of  them  have  been  deeply  moved,  and 
some  of  them,  it  is  believed,  hopefully  converted.  The  union 
of  Christian  hearts  is  also  very  marked.' 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  spoken  with  a  Christian 
brother  as  to  the  probable  number  of  converts.  He  shares 
in  my  opinion  that  it  is  impossible  to  number  them ;  but  he 
is  firmly  persuaded  that  they  amount  to  some  hundreds ;  and 
the  data  which  he  and  other  brethren  have  supplied  are  such  as 
to  show  that  in  the  town  and  in  the  country  the  number  of 
conversions  is  indeed  very  large.   '  What  hath  God  wrought !  '  " 

Rev,  George  Gailey,  of  the  Free  Church,  at  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  in  May,  1861, 
eaid: 

**  We  did  not  seek  in  any  way  to  get  up  a  revival  in  Annan. 
I  was  greatly  struck  with  a  remark  I  saw  in  a  letter  in  the 
WitTiesSi  that  revivals  never  come  up,  that  true  revivals  always 
come  dowD,    Some  of  the  most  delightful  case^  we  have  bad 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIKIT.  109 

were  the  result  of  the  inquiry  meeting.  Some  who  came  that 
night  did  so  from  mere  curiosity,  and  one  came  merely  to  scoflf. 
Mr.  Hammond's  words  went  as  an  arrow  to  the  heart  of  two  of 
those  to  whom  I  now  refer,  occupying  a  high  and  social  posi- 
tion in  Annan.  They  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  and  took  an  important  place  in  leading  the  movement 
from  that  time  till  this.  The  firyt  persons  spoken  to  were  a 
husband  and  wife,  two  of  my  own  church  members.  They 
were  professing  Christians,  in  full  membership  with  the 
church,  and  bearing  openly  a  religious  character.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's words  awakened  them  both  ;  they  never  felt  sin  before  ; 
they  never  had  been  convinced  of  sin  before.  The  arrow  of 
conviction  went  to  their  hearts.  I  have  seen  that  couple,  as  I 
have  seen  many  other  couples,  coming  night  after  night,  sitting 
together  side  by  side,  hand  in  hand,  praying  with  and  for  each 
other,  to  be  conversed  with  by  any  Christian  minister  or  Chria- 
tian  brother  who  might  direct  them  in  the  way  of  peace  and 
God,  ceasing  not  to  attend,  ceasing  not  to  seek  till  they  both  be- 
came new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  have  seen  case  after  case  of 
that  kind.  Oh  !  the  blessed  work  we  had,  from  pew  to  pew  in 
our  anxious  meeting,  is  just  the  work  we  have  to  do  from  the 
pulpit !  We  have  no  other  gospel  to  preach,  no  other  thing  to 
say  ;  only,  we  come  into  close  quarters  with  them,  meeting  this 
difficulty,  and  answering  that  question ;  and  sometimes  the 
simplest  word  that  a  child  could  understand  would  be  just  the 
word  the  anxious  one  wants,  and  the  eyes  are  opened  and  the 
Boul  gets  its  enlargement.  I  was  going  to  speak  of  an  aged 
man  who  was  called  on  to  tell  what  the  Lord  had  done  for 
him.  Here  was  my  old  friend  sitting  under  the  pulpit  for 
seven  or  eight  years,  and  if  I  had  been  asked  to  point  out  one 
of  the  truly  Christian  members  of  my  Church,  I  would  have 
named  him  among  them  —  a  man  who  was  never  absent  from 
the  Lord's  table.  I  have  had  conversation  after  conversation 
with  hiix.,  and  it  was  a  case  of  being  bom  again ;  it  was  hia 


110  THE   HARVEST   WoKK 

first  saving  conversion  to  the  Lord  Jesus.  And  oh !  he  is  a  de- 
lightful specimen  ;  and  God  has  given  him  his  whole  family. 
One  of  his  daughters  —  he  is  a  man  in  humble  life  —  carries 
joj  on  her  very  countenance.  In  passing  your  eye  over  the 
multitude  in  the  gallery,  you  could  not  pass  her  face  when  you 
came  to  it,  without  seeing  the  ray  of  heavenly  light  there.  I 
was  called  on  unexpectedly  to  be  present  at  the  coffining  of  a 
child.  When  waiting  for  the  coffin  to  come  in,  as  usual  I  was 
speaking  very  personally  to  those  present,  trying  to  improve 
the  event.  I  was  pointing  out  as  plainly  as  I  could  the  way  of 
peace  with  God  —  the  A  B  C  of  peace  with  God.  I  thought 
the  spiritual  state  of  some  required  it.  When  I  paused  and 
looked  up,  the  father  was  leaning  forward,  his  face  brightened, 
and  he  said  to  me  —  oh!  how  instructively  —  Oh,  sir,  I  am 
beyond  that  stage.  He  told  me  that  his  mind  had  been  deeply 
stirred  before  on  the  subject  of  personal  religion,  and  that  he 
attended  the  meetings,  and  had  conversations  with  ministers 
and  others  —  myself  among  them,  though  I  did  not  recollect  of 
it  —  and  being  in  the  field  one  day  laboring  with  four  com- 
panions, he  turned  up  a  sod  of  clay,  and  turned  with  it,  a 
penny.  He  stooped  down  to  grasp  it,  just,  as  he  said,  because 
he  attached  a  certain  value  to  it,  though  not  a  greater  value 
than  it  was  worth.  The  thought  then  immediately  occurred  to 
him  —  Do  you  set  any  value  on  Jesus  and  on  peace  with  God, 
as  you  set  a  certain  value  on  the  various  things  of  the  world? 
That,  Sir,  he  said,  was  the  making  of  me  for  eternity  ;  I  was 
enabled  to  lay  my  soul  on  Jesus,  and  I  have  not  had  a  day  of 
darkness,  or  distrust,  or  distress  of  soul  since.  And  what  a 
change  that  makes  now,  he  said.  Had  this  stroke  come  upon 
me  in  the  days  of  my  darkness,  it  would  have  crushed  me  to 
the  ground.  But,  oh  !  now,  sir,  I  not  only  know  that  God  is 
wise  in  the  doing  of  that  thing,  but  I  feel  that  God  is  kind  in 
the  doing  of  it.  There  is  just  one  other  matter  to  which  I  re- 
fer and  that  is  to  the  general  eflFects  and  results  upon  the  pub- 


OF   THE   HOLY    Sl'IKIi .  Ill 

lie  in  Annau  and  its  vicinity.  I  may  just  say  in  a  word,  that 
these  are  most  marvellous.  The  general  aspect  of  the  town  and 
country  is  moi-ally  and  spiritually  changed  —  absolutely  revolu- 
tionized. We  were  almost  proverbial  for  immorality.  It  is  on 
the  Border  —  and  the  Border  is  proverbial  for  badness.  We 
had  drunkenness,  and  all  the  kindred  vices,  and  swearing.  The 
voice  of  impiety  is  not  now  heard,  and  there  is  the  most  mani- 
fest arrest  laid  on  the  drunken  habits  of  the  people.  The  at- 
tendance in  the  places  of  worship  is  greatly  increased.  I  may 
just  illustrate  that  from  my  own  congregation,  which  I  may 
give  as  a  specimen  of  all  the  others  in  town  which  took  part  in 
the  movement.  We  had  our  usual  communion  Sabbatli  on  the 
first  Sabbath  of  February,  three  weeks  or  so  after  the  movement 
began.  We  added  then  about  forty  members  to  the  church, 
new  converts,  —  members  of  a  class  so  different  from  what  I 
was  wont  to  introduce  into  the  church.  We  held,  two  weeks 
ago,  a  special  commission  to  meet  the  desire  in  the  congregation 
to  come  to  the  Lord's  table  again.  I  added  then,  I  think, 
somewhere  about  fifty  more  members.  Thus,  in  three  months, 
we  added  about  ninety  members.  I  was  not  able  to  fix  on  one 
of  that  ninety  or  a  hundred,  who,  if  I  had  gone  and  said,  — 
Now,  have  you  been  savingly  blessed,  do  you  think  ?  —  but 
would  have  answered  in  the  affirmative,  yea,  and  are  giving  evi- 
dence, all  the  evidence  we  can  desire,  of  having  been  savingly 
blessed.  We  have  a  great  hiring  market  in  Annan,  twice  a 
year.  One  of  them  falls  due  in  May ;  and  oh  !  it  has  been  a 
scene  of  iniquity.  I  remember  when  I  first  came  to  Annan  and 
saw  that  fair,  that  I  gave  offence  to  some  of  my  people,  after 
seeing  the  intemperance  that  prevailed,  by  saying  from  the  pul- 
pit, next  Sabbath —  'Oh  !  it  is  hard  to  think  that  anythmg 
good  can  be  done  here,  while,  by  universal  consent,  two  whole 
days  in  the  year  are  given  virtually  to  the  devil,  in  this  town 
and  neighborhood. '  But  this  month  we  faced  that  fair  in  a 
way  we  Lad  never  done  before.      We  have  a  revival  committee, 


112  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

and  they  looked  out  for  this  coming  rock,  and  provided  for  it; 
and  I  think  they  have  solved  the  problem  of  hiring  markets 
and  fairs  in  the  land.  There  are  some  esteemed  brethren 
present  —  Colonel  Davidson,  who  kindly  visited  us,  and  also 
Mr.  Mackenzie,  Mr.  Rainy,  Mr.  Reid,  and  a  number  of  other 
members  who  came  down  to  help  us.  About  eight  thousand 
people  were  brought  into  the  town  that  day,  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  attendance  being  three  times  the  usual  amount,  yet, 
even  on  their  own  showing,  the  whisky-sellers  did  not  do  an 
average  business.  There  were  out-door  services  twice  during 
the  day.  There  was  a  refreshment  tent,  in  which  thirteen 
thousand  or  fourteen  thousand  cups  of  tea  and  coffee  were  sold, 
at  a  penny  for  each.  A  penny  was  charged  for  each  thing  —  a 
bun,  a  penny ;  cheese,  a  penny ;  bread  and  butter,  a  penny  ;  — 
for  we  went  on  the  penny  principle.  Nineteen  thousand  pennies 
were  thus  taken  in  course  of  the  day ;  the  tent  being  opened 
with  prayer  and  closed  with  prayer.  On  Friday  first  there  is 
to  be  a  meeting  to  take  steps  to  erect  a  hall  for  the  purpose  of 
having  it  open  on  every  future  fair  and  market-day.  I  believe 
if  £1000  were  required  at  this  moment  to  carry  on  the  revival 
work,  the  sum  would  be  raised  before  Saturday  night  in  the 
little  town  of  Annan." 

We  have  a  strong  confirmation  of  the  reality  and 
greatness  of  the  blessing  enjoyed  in  Annan,  from  the 
pen  of  Eev.  Mr.  Young,  which  we  give.  It  was 
written  as  the  date  shows,  more  than  a  year  after  the 
revival  scenes  described,  and  addressed  to  a  friend 
in  America. 

"  I  have  the  most  lively  and  happy  recollection  of  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's coming  to  Annan.  It  was  on  Saturday,  12th  January, 
1861.  On  the  same  evening  he  called  on  some  of  the  ministers, 
and  looked  in  at  a  prayer-meeting,  which  was  then  being  held. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  113 

On  the  Sabbath  forenoon  he  spoke  in  two  places  of  worship, 
speaking  shortly  in  each.     In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  crowded 
meeting  in  the  Free  Church.     The  four  ministers  who  had  long 
co-operated  in  holding  a  union  prayer  meeting  and  who  contin- 
ued throughout  the  revival  to  co-operate  with  one  another  and 
with  Mr.  11. ,  were  all  present.   The  vrriter  of  this  did  not  speak, 
but  the  other  ministers  spoke  to  good  purpose,  and  Mr.  H. 
gave  an  excellent  address.     That  night  there  was  an  Inquiry 
Meeting.     This  was  properly  the  first  night,  yet  thus  early  the 
good  work  began.     Among  those  with  whom  he  conversed  were 
two  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town,  and  those  two,  along  with 
others,  have  ever  since  taken  a  deep  interest  in  whatever  may 
glorify  God  or  be    of  advantage  to  man.     Of  the  enormously 
crowded  meetings  which  followed  I  cannot  speak  in  detail.     The 
largest  available  place  of  assembly  —  usually  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  —  was  filled  to  overflowing :  not  the  town  only, 
but  the  country  for  many  miles  around  was  deeply  awakened  ; 
sometimes  meetings  were  held  in  two  churches  at  once,  Mr.  H. 
speaking  first  at  one  and  then  at   the  other.     Each  afternoon 
there  was  a  delightful  meeting  for  prayer.     At  night,  the  first 
meeting  commenced  at  half-past  seven,  though  the  people  came 
so  early  that  the  meeting  really  began  with  praise  and  prayer 
at  a  much  earlier  hour.     About  ten,  the  first  meeting  was 
closed,  and  from  ten  to  one  o'clock  we  spoke  with  inquirers. 
Never,  even  in    my  most  hopeful  moments,  did  I  anticipate 
scenes  like  those  which  the  Lord  in  his  rich  mercy  then  allowed 
me  to  see!     The  workers  were, Mr.  H.,  a  young  man  who  ac- 
companied him,  the  four  ministers,  and  a  large  number  of  ear- 
nest, Christian  men,  members  of  our  churches  ;  yet  there  was 
ample  employment  for  all.      Even  when  the  inquiry  meeting 
was  closed,  there  was  often  reason  to  fear  that  some  wishing 
conversation  might  have  been  overlooked.     The  impossibility  of 
getting  through  the  blessed  work  any  sooner,  was  the  sole  rea- 
son for  protracting  the  meetings  always  till  one  o'clock,  and  in 
ono  instance  till  after  two. 


114  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

"  The  Evangelist  continued  with  us  two  weeks,  and  soon  after 
he  again  favored  us  for  one  day  with  his  invaluable  aid.  In  the 
afternoon,  a  large  and  important  meeting  was  held,  when  seve- 
ral persons  told  how  they  had  been  converted  in  the  revival. 
Among  these  were  some  office-bearers  in  a  church  a  short  dis- 
tance from  Annan.  In  the  evening,  three  meetings  were  held 
simultaneously.  The  Free  Church  was  nearly  full  of  children  ; 
a  church  belonging  to  the  Establishment,  (in  which  also  others 
of  the  meetings  had  been  held,)  was  on  this  evening  crowded 
with  women  only ;  while  the  U.  P.  Church  was  crowded  also 
with  an  audience  consisting  exclusively  of  men.  Other  speak- 
ers of  course  assisted,  but  on  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions,  it 
was  Mr.  Hammond  himself  whom  the  Lord  chiefly  used. 

"  As  regards  the  abiding  results,  I  shall  only  copy  the  follow- 
ing very  moderate  statement,  being  part  of  a  letter  which  I 
published  more  than  three  months  ago  in  our  local  paper,  the 
Annan  Observer: — 

"  '  I  feel  neither  special  call  nor  deep  anxiety  to  vindicate  the 
Annan  Revival.  It  is  its  own  best  vindication.  Now  that, 
since  its  commencement,  one  year  has  elapsed,  what  are  some 
of  the  good  results  we  have  witnessed  ? 

'* '  First,  There  have  been  many  conversions.  How  many.  I 
have  never  attempted  to  say  ;  but  that  they  are  very  numerous, 
I  have  no  sort  of  doubt ;  and  speaking  of  all  the  professed  con- 
verts whom  I  have  known,  I  can  freely  state  that  the  cases  of 
backsliding,  or  even  of  temporary  relapse,  have  been  singularly 
few.  With  very  rare  exceptions,  the  professed  converts  are 
holding  out  well,  trusting,  as  I  believe,  not  in  themselves,  but 
in  '  Him  who  is  able  to  keep  them  from  falling,  and  to  present 
them  faultless  before  the  presence  of  His  glory  with  exceeding 
joy.' 

*'  *  Second,  among  those  who,  since  the  revival,  are  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  religion,  are  a  vastnumber  of  young  men,  many 
of  them  energetic  and  active,  and  some  of  them  persons  of  influ- 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  115 

ence.  Among  the  young  of  both  sexes,  as  well  as  among  per- 
sons further  advanced  in  life,  the  blessed  effect  of  the  Revival  is 
visible  and  abiding.  Much,  indeed,  still  remains  to  be  accom- 
plished, but  this  is  no  reason  vrhy  we  should  not  acknowledge 
thankfully  the  great  things  which  already  the  Lord  has 
wrought. 

"  Third,  The  intemperate  have  been  reformed.  I  could  men- 
tion I  know  not  how  many,  every  one  of  whom  now  sit  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus,  '  clothed  and  in  his  right  mind.'  Delightful,  in- 
deed, and  unmistakeable,  are  cases  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 
The  temperance  movement  had  effected  much  ;  the  revival  move- 
ment has  effected  more  :  there  is  no  jarring  between  them  — 
both  are  needed,  and  both  are  excellent,  while  they  are  mutual- 
ly helpful  the  one  to  the  other. 

*'  I  would  only  say,  further,  that  through  the  revival,  the 
children  of  God  have  had  their  faith  greatly  strengthened. 
Never  before  did  they  see  so  much  of  the  power  of  prayer,  or 
of  God's  readiness  to  answer  it.  They  asked  Him  for  guidance, 
and  He  gave  it.  They  prayed  Him  to  send  laborers,  and  He 
sent  them.  In  many  cases  He  gave  them  so  suddenly,  that  we 
could  only  think  of  His  promises — a  promise  which  in  the  peo- 
ple of  Israel  will  hereafter  have  a  stDl  more  signal  fulfilment. 
'  It  shall  come  to  pass,  that  before  they  call  I  will  answer  ;  and 
while  they  are  yet  speaking,  I  will  hear.' 

"  In  speaking  of  Mr.  Hammond,  and  of  his  peculiar  qualifi- 
cations for  an  Evangelist,  I  place  in  the  foreground  his  humble, 
child-like  confidence  in  the  Lord.  Believing  that  God  has  given 
promises,  he  expects  Him  to  keep  them.  This  expectation  gives 
the  tone  to  his  prayers,  and  helps  him  greatly  in  all  that 
he  undertakes.  Whenever  he  came  among  us  he  urged  us  to 
look  for  great  things,  and  quoted  oftener  than  once,  and  with 
excellent  effect,  these  words  of  God  by  Jeremiah,  '  Call  unto 
me,  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and  shew  thee  great  and  mighty 
things  which  thou  knowest  not.'  — Jer.  xxxiii.  3. 


116  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

"  Further,  Mr.  H.  has  a  good  judgment  as  to  what  bhould  be 
done  and  what  should  be  said.  Even  when  he  spoke  but  little 
it  was  the  right  thing,  and  at  the  proper  time.  He  is  full  of 
zeal,  but  by  no  means  too  zealous  for  one  who  seeks  to  pluck 
men  as  brands  from  the  burning  ;  while  there  is  about  him  a 
singleness  of  aim  which  I  greatly  admire,  and  which  for  myself 
I  should  greatly  wish  to  possess.  He  was  followed  here  by 
other  laborers,  of  whom  there  were  many  who  did  us  good 
service  ;  but  it  was  with  Mr.  Hammond  that  the  revival  begarif 
and  we  shall  ever  feel  that  it  is  to  him  that,  under  God,  we  are 
chiefly  indebted.  Even  yet,  more  than  fifteen  months  having 
passed,  I  am  finding  among  those  who  apply  for  church  fellow- 
ship, some  who  speak  of  Mr.  H.  as  having  been  the  means  in  the 
Spirit's  hand  of  leading  them  to  Christ.  I  may  state  that  since 
the  revival  began,  we  have  —  even  in  our  little  church  —  re- 
ceived about  ninety  new  members,  yet  ours  is  only  one  of  a 
number  of  churches  in  the  town,  with  others  in  the  country 
around,  which  this  glorious  revival  has  here  filled  and  increased. 
Many  of  the  cases  of  conversion  are  full  of  interest,  but  space 
does  not  permit  me  to  go  into  detail. 

"  But  the  last  among  the  causes  of  Mr.  Hammond's  power  is 
his  peculiar  sweetness  of  temper  or  disposition.  He  is  quite  a 
man  to  be  loved,  for  he  loves  every  one.  I  have  had  him  living 
with  me  while  he  labored  in  Annan  —  to  have  thus  had  the  op- 
portunity of  having  much  intercourse  with  him  —  to  have  learn- 
ed, as  I  did,  how  successful  he  had  been  in  Dumfries  and  Glas- 
gow after  he  left  us  —  to  have  the  hope,  which  I  have,  of  still 
meeting  him  on  earth  —  and  especially  to  have  the  hope  that 
through  the  mercy  of  God  and  the  m«:its  of  the  Saviour,  we 
shall  meet  —  as  one  of  the  beautiful  hymns  he  taught  us  to 
sing  expresses  it  — 

**  On  the  other  side  of  Jordan — 
In  the  sweet  fields  of  Eden, 
Where  the  tree  of  life  is  blooming,'* 


OF    THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  117 

—  all  this  I  regard  as  a  bleeeed  privilege  for  which  1  neve 
can  Buflficiently  give  God  thanks. 

"  Both  of  Mr.  Hammond,  and  of  the  Revival,  I  might  have 
written  much  more,  for  where  the  work  has  been  so  great,  and 
where  the  fruits  are  so  abiding  and  visible,  it  is  not  easy  to  tell 
where  to  stop.  The  full  results  will  appear  in  eternity,  and  will 
be  to  the  honor  of  the  ever  blessed  Spirit,  and  of  that  loving 
Saviour  whom  at  all  times  and  in  all  things  it  is  a  privilege  to 
serve. 

**  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  knowing  the  gentleman  for  whom 

1  am  writing  this  brief  account,  but  regarding  him  as  a  friend 

of  Mr.  U.,  and  as  one  who  takes  an  interest  in  revivals,  I  am 

happy  to  furnish  him  with  such  an  account  as  I  have  been  able 

io  give.  Ebenezer  Young, 

Pastor  of  the  Independent  or  Congregational 

Church  in  Annan. 
Annan,  15th  May,  1862. 

Dumfries^  the  home  and  burial-place  of  Robert 
Burns,  the  man  of  genius,  and  the  mournful  wreck, 
morally ;  an  important  Burgh,  twelve  miles  from 
Annan,  caught  the  sacred  fire  from  the  latter  town, 
through  the  visit  of  some  of  its  pastors.  A  very 
just  estimate  of  sources  of  the  principal  speaker's 
success,  under  God,  appeared  in  the  Dumfries  Stand- 
ard, at  the  commencement  of  the  daily  meetings. 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  never  preaches  essays,  or  deals  in  the  elabo- 
rate or  transcendental ;  he  wants  to  make  religion  a  thing  of 
ordinary  life  —  the  great  business  of  every  day  ;  and  this  being 
his  desire,  he  presses  the  gospel  on  the  acceptance  of  his 
hearers,  just  as  a  skilful  trader  seeks  to  dispose  of  his  worldly 
merchandize,  only  that  he  oifers  *  the  pearl  of  great  price  '  with 
greater  earnestness,  so  as   to  correspond  with  its  infinitely 


118  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

greater  value.  This  is,  as  we  have  already  hinted,  one  of  the 
secrets  of  his  success.  Many  of  his  illustrations  are  brought 
fresh  and  new  from  the  busy  earth  on  which  we  tread,  and  have 
thus  a  strong  human  interest,  and  he  has  a  marvellous  knack  of 
making  such  mundane  themes  the  medium  for  conveying  precious 
spiritual  truths.  And  when  after  relating  an  entertaining 
anecdote  he  seeks  to  inculcate  its  lesson,  the  tones  of  his  well- 
modulated  voice  thrill  with  a  pathos  and  persuasiveness  which 
are  as  music  to  the  *  inner  ear,'  and  assist  materially  in  send- 
ing the  moral  home  at  once  to  the  heart.  He  almost  always 
manages  to  make  a  powerful  impression  on  his  audience.  This, 
humanly  speaking,  is  owing  in  a  great  degree  to  three  things 
—  first,  his  intense  earnestness;  secondly,  his  large-hearted 
benevolence ;  and  thirdly,  his  simple  unstilted  Saxon  style  of 
discourse.  While  naturally  courageous  and  self-dependent,  his 
chief  strength  doubtless  lies  in  his  thorough  belief  that  he  is 
God's  ambassador  to  sinful  men  —  that  he  has  received  for  each 
and  all  who  come  within  the  reach  of  his  voice  a  message  of 
love  and  mercy  ;  and  hence  his  *  holy  boldness,'  his  unwearied 
devotedness  in  proclaiming  the  gospel  —  his  oft-reiterated  re- 
monstrance, '  Why  will  ye  die? '  urged  at  once  with  amazing 
energy  and  with  tearful  tenderness." 

Of  the  venerable  and  great  man,  whose  name  is 
identified  with  the  Free  Church,  in  connection  with 
the  services,  it  is  said  : 

"  Dr.  Wood  presided,  and  in  a  few  warm,  pregnant  words, 
he  thoroughly  identified  himself  with  the  present  Revival  move- 
ment, and  expressed  his  wonder,  not  that  people  should  thus 
be  congregating  in  great  masses  together  and  be  anxiously  in- 
quiring *  What  must  we  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  but  that  meetings 
like  these  are  so  rare,  and  that  so  much  deplorable  apathy  pre- 
vails even  among  professing  Christians  on  the  subject  of  their 
salvation." 


OF  THE  HOLY  8PIKIT.  119 

We  find  a  little  work,  printed  in  Dumfries,  which 
das  an  immense  circulation,  from  which  we  quote  : 

"  The  following  communicated  account  of  the  movement  at 
this  early  stage,  appeared  in  the  Standard  of  the  30th  January  : 

"  The  work,  of  Revival,  which  has  been  spreading  in  Annan 
with  remarkable  intensity  and  power  for  the  last  fortnight,  has 
now  extended  to  Dumfries  with  a  fervor  even  greater  than  was 
witnessed  in  Annan,  at  the  beginning  of  the  meetings  there. 
The  large  and  spacious  church  in  which  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wood 
ministers  was,  long  before  six  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  Sab- 
bath, crowded  in  every  part,  while  hundreds  were  pressing 
around  the  door  eager  to  obtain  an  entrance,  but  could  not. 
The  Congregational  Chapel  was  opened  for  the  benefit  of  those 
who  were  desirous  of  hearing  the  words  of  life,  and  thus  a 
second  audience  was  placed  under  the  Revival  influence.  At 
the  close  of  his  sermon,  Mr.  Hammond  invited  the  anxious  to 
remain  for  conversation,  pressing  on  those  who  wished  to  be 
saved,  and  on  those  who  hope  to  be  saved  at  some  future  time, 
to  remain  to  be  conversed  with  on  the  momentous  inquiry, 
'  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  This  is  the  crisis  of  the  work 
for  the  evening,  to  which  the  Christian  looks  with  most  thrilling 
interest.  Oh  !  it  was  a  spectacle  which  drew  tears  from  many 
eyes,  to  see  several  hundreds  in  the  lower  part  of  the  church 
and  in  the  gallery,  with  countenances  showing  intense  anxiety 
for  salvation,  waiting  two  hours  in  the  church  for  conversation. 
Many  were  found  suffering  great  mental  anguish  from  the  dis- 
covery of  their  sin  against  the  God  of  love.  The  tears  were 
flowing  plentifully  while  they  were  deploring  their  sins  and  the 
Imrdness  of  their  heart.  Others  had  foun'l  peace  to  their 
troubled  conscience  in  the  discovery  that  iLe  blood  *>t  Jesus 
Christ,  God's  Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  And  there  were 
not  a  few,  who  had  been  unmoved  under  tiie  KiiAriug  appeals, 
who  were  subdued  through  the  power  c,f  syitp*/^^  ;  for,  seeing 


120  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

others  so  earnest  in  seeking  salvation,  they  felt  it  was  high 
time  for  them  to  be  earnest  likewise.  Many  Christians  gave 
help  m  the  work  of  conversation.  So  far  as  we  could  learn 
their  views,  but  one  feeling  pervaded  all  their  minds  —  that  the 
prayers  which  had  been  offered  up  for  months  past  were  now 
answered  in  the  cloud  of  blessing  descending  on  Dumfries,  and 
that  God  had  put  his  seal  upon  the  work  by  the  conversion  of 
einners. 

"  At  six  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  Monday,  Dr.  Wood's 
Church  was  filled  with  the  children  of  the  Sabbath  schools  as 
it  had  been  in  the  afternoon  of  Sabbath,  and  some  of  them 
gave  clear  proofs  of  conversion,  and  that  they  have  found  in  the 
Saviour  the  salvation  of  their  never-dying  souls.  At  half-past 
seven.  Dr.  Wood's  Church  was  crowded,  and  many  who  were 
eager  to  be  present  could  not  reach  the  door,  so  great  was  the 
crowd  outside.  Mr.  Hammond  preached  on  the  leprosy  of 
Naaman,  and  a  very  deep  impression  was  made  on  the  listening 
crowd.  About  the  same  number  remained  for  conversation  on 
the  evening  of  Monday  as  on  the  Sabbath,  but  many  who  suf- 
fered greatly  from  the  heavy  load  which  pressed  them  down  on 
the  first  evening,  had  found  peace  and  were  rejoicing  in  Christ 
the  second  evening.  It  was  touching  to  see  sitting  in  the  same 
pew,  the  aged  father,  mother  and  daughter,  agonized  with  the 
conviction  of  sin  against  the  God  of  love,  on  the  Sabbath  ;  and 
on  the  Monday  the  daughter  was  mingling  with  the  band  of 
young  converts,  with  a  happy  face  and  rejoicing  heart,  praising 
God.  In  one  pew  was  sitting  a  dear  boy  of  twelve  years  of  age, 
with  the  tears  streaming  from  his  eyes  for  joy  that  he  had 
found  the  Saviour,  and  on  either  side  of  him  were  aged  men 
and  women,  groaning  from  the  load  of  sin  on  their  hearts,  and 
in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  that  load  was  removed,  and 
the  seat  of  mourning  was  exchanged  for  joy  and  gladness. 

"  The  Independent  Church  was  literally  crowded  on  Monday 
night  from  ten  till  twelve  —  how  long  after,  we  know  not ;  and 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  121 

after  the  inquirers,  mostly  males,  had  been  individually  spoken 
to  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Machray  and  others,  Mr.  Hammond  looked 
in,  gave  a  brief  address,  prayed,  and  then  invited  some  of  the 
converts  to  tell  their  experience  to  the  meeting.     The  invitation 
was  in  the  first  instance  responded  to  by  a  young  man  belong- 
ing to  Dumfries,  who  declared  that  a  few  days  ago  he  was  a 
scofier,  and  cared  not  for  spiritual  things.     He  was  induced  to 
attend  one  of  the  meetings,  and  was  a  little  affected  by  what  he 
heard  ;  but  he  went  away  soon,  and  thought  no  more  on  the 
subject  till  on  a  subsequent  night  he  went  by  invitation  to  an 
inquiry  meeting,  where  he  was  affectionately  spoken  to  by  a 
young  man,  during  whose  address  he  had  his  eyes  opened  to 
see  his  sins.   He  saw  that  he  was  a  poor,  guilty  sinner,  and  that 
unless  he  was  washed  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  he  would  go  to 
hell.     He  went  home  in  great  trouble  of  mind,  and  tossed  about 
sleepless  in  bed  till  three  or  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.     Next 
night  he  got  into  conversation  with  some  of  the  ministers,  and 
one  of  them,  Mr.  Torrance,  explained  to  him  that  he  must  put 
his  trust  in  Jesus  ;  and  just  as  he  was  told  to  do  that,  a  some- 
thing came  over  him  which  he  could  not  describe,  but  he  did 
feel  that  he  could  put  his  trust  in  Christ,  and  this  made  him 
happy.     He  advised  all  who  heard  him,  who  were  yet  uncon- 
verted, to  turn  to  Jesus  as  he  had  been  enabled  to  do,  and  then 
they  would  be  happy  as  he  was ;  and  oh,  he  said,  let  those 
who  have  found  Christ  tell  the  good  news  to  others  in  the 
stsreets,  that  they  too  may  obtain  salvation  and  get  rid  of  all 
their  tears. 

"  Another  man,  approaching  middle  age,  belonging  to  the 
neighborhood,  we  believe,  next  stept  forward  and  told  how 
about  fourteen  months  ago  he  had  been  first  aroused  to  a  sense 
of  his  true  condition  as  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God,  but  that 
the  impression  wore  off.  That  night  week,  when  at  the  Re- 
vival meeting,  the  impression  was  renewed  and  decDened.  never, 
he  boped,  to  be  efifeced.     In   returning  home  he  offered  up  a 


122  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

heart-felt  prayer,  and,  the  next  moment,  experienced  a  joj 
Buch  as  he  was  unable  to  express. 

*'  With  the  view  of  affording  more  accommodation  lor  the 
increasing  crowds  which  flock  nightly  to  the  Free  Church, 
several  seats  were  on  Monday  removed  from  the  area,  thus 
leaving  standing  room  for  nearly  two  hundred  persons,  instead 
of  merely  sitting  room  for  fifty-eight.  But  if  the  church 
could,  by  any  possibility,  have  been  enlarged  to  twice  its  form- 
er size,  it  in  that  case  would  still  be  filled  to  overflowing,  so  at- 
tractive are  the  Kevival  sermons,  and  so  unprecedently  intense 
and  wide-spread  is  the  interest  felt  in  them,  not  only  in  Dum- 
fries, but  in  all  the  country  around.  Not  fewer  than  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  persons  were  within  the  walls 
of  the  church  on  Monday  night,  many  of  them  closely  wedged 
together  ;  and  last  night  the  attendance  was  if  anything  great- 
er ;  while  on  each  occasion  there  were  hundreds  at  the  doors, 
unable  to  obtain  an  entrance. 

"  The  services  on  Tuesday  night  by  the  singing  of  hymns  — 

*  grave  sweet  melody '  —  ensued  till  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Wood, 
who  presided  .over  the  meeting.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev 
Mr.  Greig,  parish  minister  of  Kirkpatrick-Durham,  who  ad- 
dressed the  audience  at  considerable  length.  His  closing  re- 
marks told  powerfully,  the  audience  listening  with  rapt  at- 
tention to  the  important  statement  made  by  the  preacher 
when  recounting  his  experience  as  such  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years.  During  a  large  portion  of  that  time,  he  now  knew, 
he  had  never  experienced  a  saving  change  of  heart.  While 
preaching  sound  doctrine  to  his  people,  he  was  as  great  a 
stranger  to  the  power  of  the  gospel  as  a  Hindoo  or  a  Moham- 
medan ;  and  it  was  not  till  within  a  comparatively  recent  period 
that  he  realized  his  true  condition  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
found  the  Saviour  for  himself.  He  could  not  state  the  precise 
period  when  his  eyes  were  opened  ;  '  but  this,'  said  Mr.  Greig, 

*  I  know,  that  whereas  once  I  was  blind,  now  I  see.' 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  123 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  referred  to  the  cases  of  Dr.  Chalmers  and 
other  ministers  as  parallel  to  that  of  Mr.  Greig  ;  and  expressed 
his  gratification  at  the  address  made  by  him.  God,  who  had 
made  their  dear  brother  bold  to  speak  the  truth,  would  bless 
his  statement,  and  continue  to  uphold  him  to  the  end.  He  then 
noticed  the  case  of  another  minister,  who  had  recently  experi- 
enced a  similar  change  at  a  Revival  meeting,  and  whose  public 
acknowledgment  of  it  had  been  greatly  blessed  by  God  to  the 
awakening  of  other  souls  that  were  in  danger  of  sleeping  the 
sleep  of  death. 

"  An  infidel  young  man,  a  draper  in  Dumfries,  was  then  in- 
troduced by  Mr.  Hammond,  and  proceeded  to  speak  with  much 
readiness,  and  at  times  rose  to  a  pitch  of  what  may  truly  be 
called  spontaneous  and  unpremeditated  eloquence,  as  he  de- 
scribed the  way  in  which  he  had  been  led  from  the  darkness 
and  desolateness  of  scepticism  to  the  light  and  happiness  of 
saving  faith.  He  told  how  a  companion  of  his,  laboring  under 
deep  conviction,  last  week  had  conversed  with  him  on  the 
danger  which  those  incur  who  put  off  the  day  of  their  merciful 
visitation.  He  was  thus  led  to  think  seriously  and  solemnly  on 
the  subject.  He  felt  as  if  the  arrow  of  conviction  had  found 
its  way  to  his  heart,  and  on  going  home,  told  his  mother  he  was 
very  unhappy.  He  went  up-stairs  still  tormented  by  doubts 
and  fears  ;  and  prayed  earnestly  that  God  would  give  him 
peace.  He  turned  to  his  Bible,  and  there  read,  in  the  First 
Epistle  of  John,  fourth  chapter,  first  verse,  that  '  many  false 
prophets  are  gone  out  into  the  world.'  He  felt  that  this  was 
true  —  that  he  had  been  led  away  by  false  prophets,  and  had 
been  on  the  road  to  everlasting  ruin.  Still  laboring  under  a 
sense  of  unpardoned  sin,  he  found  his  way  on  Saturday  night 
to  an  inquiry  meeting,  and  there  received  some  comfort  from  a 
conversation  which  he  had  with  one  of  the  ministers.  That 
minister  asked  if  he  would  come  to  Jesus  ;  and  they  prayed  to- 
gether ;  and  he  felt  comparatively  happy.      On  Sabbath  he 


124  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

went  to  a  prayer  meeting,  and  afterwards  heard  Mr.  Symington 
preach  from  a  passage  in  Isaiah,  in  Mr,  Scott's  Church  ;  and 
from  the  remarks  then  made  he  obtained  much  relief.  His 
faith  was  confirmed,  and  his  peace  with  God  through  Christ  was 
sealed,  as  during  the  same  evening  at  an  inquiry  meeting  he 
mixed  with  those  who  were  anxious  for  their  souls,  and  en- 
deavored to  lead  them  to  the  Saviour,  whom  he  had  himself, 
after  many  wanderings,  found.  Now  his  faith  in  the  all-pre- 
vailing atonement  was  unwavering  ;  and  he  experienced  a  hap- 
piness which  till  that  night  he  had  never  known. 

"  Mr.  Hammond,  kneeling  down  on  the  platform,  offered  up 
prayer  —  the  tones  of  his  voice,  and  his  eyes  streaming  with 
tears,  betraying  his  overpowering  emotion  as  he  returned  thanks 
for  the  marvellous  doings  of  the  Lord  as  manifested  to  them  in 
the  cases  just  related,  and  many  other  marks  of  the  Divine 
favor  which  had  been  experienced  during  that  day  and  night. 
The  young  man  then  knelt  down,  and  offered  up  a  short  prayer 

the  scene  deeply  affecting  the  audience.     Mr.    Hammond 

then,  addressing  the  audience,  put  the  question.  How  shall  ye 
escape,  if  ye  neglect  so  great  salvation  ?  That  question  he 
could  not  answer  —  the  devils  could  not  answer  it,  the  angels 
could  not  answer  it,  God  himself  could  not  answer  it.  Escape  ? 
there  was  no  possible  way  of  escape  if  they  despised  and 
neglected  the  great  salvation. 

"  Dr.  Wood  added  a  few  closing  words,  in  which  he  solemnly  and 
affectionately  urged  each  individual  of  the  vast  multitude  pres- 
ent who  still  halted  for  serving  two  masters,  to  decide  for  Christ. 
The  meeting  closed  by  singing  the  following  verse  and  chorus  J 

"  'Tis  done  —  the  great  transaction  's  done  ; 
I  am  my  Lord's,  and  he  is  mine  ; 
He  drew  me,  and  I  followed  on. 
Charmed  to  confess  the  voice  divine. 
Happy  day  !  happy  day  ! 
When  JesuB  washed  my  sins  away ; 


OF  THE  HOLY  STIRIT.  126 

He  taught  me  how  to  watch  and  pray. 
And  live  rejoicing  every  day. 
Happy  day  !  happy  day  ! 
When  Jesus  washed  my  sins  away. 

"  At  the  protracted  meeting  for  inquiry  on  Tuesday  night, 
from  a  hundred  to  a  hundred  and  fifty  wert  present  in  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church ;  upwards  of  two  hundred  in  the 
Independent  Church  ;  and  the  females  in  the  Free  Church  were 
fully  as  numerous  as  on  any  former  occasion.  One  case  is  re- 
ported to  us  as  having  occurred  in  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  peculiar  interest  —  that  of  a  man  from  the  country 
who  had  been  in  a  state  of  great  distress,  a  prey  to  doubts  and 
misconception,  but  who  was  at  length,  after  a  torturing  ordeal 
of  a  fortnight's  duration,  enabled  to  place  his  trust  in  the  Re- 
deemer and  find  in  Him  peace  and  rest.  In  the  course  of  the 
proceedings  in  the  Independent  Church,  Mr.  Machray  made  the 
gratifying  announcement, that, at  the  small  village  of  Lochar- 
briggs  in  the  neighborhood,  a  crowded  Revival  meeting  had 
been  held  that  evening,  and  about  seventy  anxious  inquirers 
had  remained  to  be  conversed  with  —  results  which,  he  said, 
were  in  answer  to  prayers  ofiered  up  for  the  people  of  the 
village,  at  the  meeting  which  had  been  held  in  that  church 
during  the  day.  Several  ministers,  in  addition  to  those  al- 
ready mentioned  by  us,  have  given  assistance  at  the  pro- 
tracted meetings,  and,  as  formerly,  ladies  and  laymen  in  con- 
siderable numbers  are  taking  part  in  the  work. 

*'  Among  the  cases  which  occurred  on  the  same  night  in  the 
Free  Church,  the  following  one  excited  an  extraordinary 
amount  of  attention :  —  Robert  Milligan,  aged  forty-nine,  a 
native  of  Kirkcudbright,  and  for  twenty-seven  years  a  soldier 
in  the  1st  Regiment  of  Life  Guards,  was  present  at  the  general 
meeting,  and  he  was  observed  to  he  much  afiected  by  the  various 
addresses  that  were  delivered.  He  was,  it  appears,  especially 
•truck  with  the  statements  made  by  the  Rey.  Mr.  Greig,  and 


126  THE  HARVESr   WOEK 

thought  within  his  own  mind  it  was  high  time  he  was  beginning 
to  examine  himself,  when  a  minister  like  Mr.  Greig  had  confess- 
ed that  he  had  been  long  personally  ignorant  of  the  gospel. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  meeting  Mr.  W.  Milligan,  junior, 
eon  versed  with  him,  and  they  went  together  for  a  little  to  the 
aouse  of  the  former,  and  after  conversing  and  praying  there 
\hey  returned  to  the  church,  he  expressing  a  strong  wish  to  see 
Blr.  Hammond,  who  was  busily  engaged  at  the  time  with  other 
anxious  inquirers. 

"  The  scene  which  ensued  was  highly  affecting.  Mr.  Milli- 
gan is  a  tall,  well-made  man,  barely  past  the  meridian  of  life, 
and  his  buirdly  figure  was  very  prominent  as  he  hurried  up  the 
area,  and  seizing  Mr.  Hammond  by  the  hand,  said  loud  enough 
to  be  heard  over  a  great  part  of  the  church,  'Sir,  I  am  a 
soldier :  I  have  been  in  many  a  battle,  and  received  many  a 
wound,  but  never  such  a  one  as  I  received  to-night.  The 
arrow  sent  by  that  Rev.  gentleman  (pointing  to  Mr.  Greig,) 
went  through  and  through  my  very  heart.'  Mr.  Hammond 
asked,  *  Are  you  now  then  resolved  to  be  a  soldier  of  the  Cross 
—  enrolled  in  the  blood-redeemed  army  of  Jesus?'  'Yes,' 
was  the  answer,  '  1  have  too  long  earned  the  wages  of  sin, 
and  will  henceforth  devote  myself  to  the  service  of  the  Saviour.' 
Mr.  Hammond  offered  up  a  few  appropriate  words  of  prayer  ; 
and  the  soldier,  then  holding  up  both  hands  beseechingly,  pray- 
ed with  great  fluency  and  unction.  After  which  he  instinc- 
tively flourished  his  bonnet,  as  he  said  with  modest  confidence, 
•  I  am  not  ashamed  to  own  my  Lord.'  This  truly  impressive 
and  touching  episode  had  a  most  thrilling  effect  upon  the  on- 
lookers, many  of  whom  sobbed  aloud,  while  others  gave  ex- 
pression to  a  feeling  of  exulting  joy.  Soon  after,  it  appears, 
Mr.  Milligan  told  what  had  happened  to  his  wife,  and  appear- 
ed in  company  with  her  at  the  meeting,  where  she  formed  one 
among  the  many  inquirers  after  salvation,  and  is  now  like  him- 
self, it  is  said,  happy  in  believing. 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  127 

**  A  respected  leader  of  the  Free  Church,  Dumfries,  remarked 
the  other  night  that  the  scenes  he  had  ■witnessed  during 
the  ten  days  and  nights  preceding  were  so  extraordinary, 
that  he  felt  himself  at  times  overcome  with  amazement,  and 
almost  tempted  to  question  their  reality.  And  yet,  he 
added,  they  are  not  dreams,  delusions,  but  substantial  re- 
alities, as  veritable  as  they  are  wonderful  and  solemn. 
The  same  ideas,  we  doubt  not,  have  passed  through  the 
minds  of  many  who  have  been  present  at  the  Revival  meet- 
ings, and  especially  at  those  held  for  inquiry,  when,  in  the 
dead  of  night,  numbers  have  to  all  appearance  been  made 
spiritually  alive.  The  protracted  meetings  are  marvellous, 
on  account  of  the  hundreds  who  take  part  in  them  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  religious  instruction  and  comfort,  and 
still  more  so  because  of  the  considerable  proportion  of  those 
who  declare  to  their  advisers,  that  they  have  found  what  they 
were  in  search  of — whose  language,  once  that  of  doubt  or 
despair,  is  now,  *  I  do  believe,  I  now  believe  that  Jesus  died 
for  me.' 

"  The  inquiry  meetings  are  also  remarkable  for  the  cordiality 
with  which  people  of  all  denominations  and  ranks  mix  with 
each  other,  forming,  so  to  speak,  one  large  family,  equal  in  the 
sight  of  the  same  heavenly  Father,  and  knowing,  or  at  least 
showing  none  of  the  distinctions  which  are  so  pertinaciously 
clung  to  and  so  reluctantly  parted  with  in  the  ordinary  world 
of  life.  Too  often  the  poor  are  made  to  feel  bitterly  their 
inferiority  of  station,  but  here  Dives  comes  not  —  at  least  does 
not  venture  to  appear  in  the  purple  and  fine  linen  of  his  pride 
—  and  those  who  are  literally  in  the  condition  of  Lazarus,  are 
recognized  to  be  brothers  and  sisters  by  men  of  high  position, 
and  by  those  who  are  gentlewomen  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
Mill-girls  and  fine  ladies  talk  lovingly  together  on  topics  of 
transcendent  interest  to  both.  Women  who  have  fallen  —  poor 
Magdalenes — panting  for  heart's  ease,   if  not  sighing  pett- 


128  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

tentially,  form  units  in  the  throng ;  and  bo  far  from  bem^ 
shunned  as  something  vile,  are  welcomed  with  the  feeling 
which  made  the  father  in  the  parable  kill  the  fatted  calf  for 
his  son.  The  unprecedented  religious  awakening  now  experi- 
enced in  Dumfries  may  subside,  and  no  one  expects  that  the 
excitement  can  continue  long  unabated  —  in  the  nature  of 
things  it  must  decrease ;  but  the  memory  of  these  inquiry 
meetings  will  have  a  continued  fragrance  —  they  will  be  re- 
membered as  ajQTording  in  some  respects  a  foretaste  of  millennial 
times  ;  and  viewing  them  even  in  the  subsidiary  temporal 
sense,  without  reference  to  the  spiritual  benefits  there  origi- 
nated, they  will,  we  think,  tend  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of 
social  existence  amongst  us.  Those  who  experience  the  luxury 
of  doing  good  to  the  poor,  know  that  the  latter  are  grateful  for 
kind  words  as  well  as  for  charitable  benefactions,  that  they 
sigh  for  sympathy,  and  gratefully  appreciate  any  evidence 
shown  to  them  that  they  are  cared  for,  body  and  soul,  by  the 
rich.  The  coldness  and  superciliousness  shown  towards  those 
in  humble  life,  and  that  often  too  by  professing  Christians,  are 
at  the  bottom  of  much  of  the  heart-burnings  and  neglect  of 
religious  ordinances  which  prevail  in  the  lower  strata  of  so- 
ciety. Treatment  of  a  contrary  k^'nd  not  only  promotes  social 
peace,  but  is  a  step  towards  the  reduction  of  practical  heathen- 
ism. Hence,  if  for  nothing  else,  we  attach  great  value  to 
these  inquiry  meetings ;  and  we  trust  that  the  spirit  which 
prevades  them  will  be  manifested  out  of  doors.  It  must  not 
be  allowed  to  languish,  far  less  to  die  out,  after  these  delightful 
reunions  have  drawn  to  a  close,  but  be  brought  to  bear  upon 
the  outcast  and  destitute  of  our  population. 

'*  The  Wednesday  evening  meeting  in  the  Free  Church  was 
for  males  alone.  The  place  was  crowded  by  men  and  boys, 
many  of  them  from  the  neighborhood  ;  and  as  a  proof  of  the 
anxiety  felt  to  gain  admission  we  may  state  that  two  or  three 
hundred  of  the  country  people  having  had  to  go  away  early, 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  129 

their  places  were  no  sooner  emptied  than  occupied  by  persona 
from  the  town.  As  the  meeting  proceeded,  it  was  gratifying 
to  see  laboring  men  in  various  parts  of  the  church  with  serious 
faces  and  Testament  —  evidently  new  —  in  hand,  carefully  tuiii 
ing  up  passages  of  Scripture  as  referred  to  by  the  different 
speakers.  Altogether  the  assemblage  was  an  extraordinary 
one,  comprising,  as  it  did,  much  of  the  bone  and  sinew  which 
constitute  the  main  strength  of  the  country  and  the  chief  de- 
fence of  the  State.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Torrance  made  a  few  re- 
marks ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Millar,  of  Carlisle,  followed,  and  then  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Symington.  Mr.  Fraser,  of  Colvend,  was  the  next 
speaker.  He  stated  that  when  he  first  heard  of  these  Revivals, 
he  had  some  misgivings  respecting  them ;  but  he  resolved,  for 
the  sake  of  his  parishioners  and  himself,  to  inquire  into  the 
subject  personally.  For  that  purpose  he  had  come  to  Dum- 
fries ;  and  what  he  had  seen  and  now  saw  satisfied  him  that 
the  Awakening  here  was  the  work  of  God.  He  would  return 
home  with  the  resolution,  to  be  more  zealous  than  ever  in 
urging  his  people  to  seek  the  way  of  salvation.  Mr.  Fraser 
further  expressed  himself  as  highly  pleased  with  all  the  pro- 
ceedings ;  every  minister,  he  thought,  should  make  inquiry  for 
himself  into  the  matter,  and  not  decide  upon  it  from  mere 
hearsay.  Those  who  did  not  see  their  way  as  yet  to  give  the 
movement  their  active  support,  should  be  cautious  how  the}' 
derided  it  or  in  other  respects  opposed  it ;  and  he  was  clearly 
of  opinion  that  those  who  carefully  examined  the  subject  for 
themselves,  would  come  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion  regard- 
ing it. 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  introduced  a  working-man  of  middle  age, 
who  proceeded  to  address  the  audience.  We  give  his  statement 
as  near  as  may  be  verbatim  :  '  This  is  the  first  time,'  he  said, 
*  in  my  life  that  I  ever  rose  to  address  a  meeting  on  any  sul> 
ject  one  or  other.  I  see  many  faces  here  that  ken  me  weel,  as 
T  belong  to  the  place.    They  ken  who  I  am,  but  they  duma 


130  THE  HARVEST  WOEK 

ken  what  X  was  inwardly.  Before  these  meetings  took  place  1 
was  a  stranger  to  God.  I  professed  Him  outwardly  ;  but  in- 
wardly I  was  a  subject  of  the  devil.  I  was  an  infidel  in  prin- 
ciple, though  still  professing  to  be  a  Christian.  My  chief  oc- 
cupation on  the  Sabbath  day  was  to  gang  amang  the  fields  and 
woods,  for  the  purpose  of  studying  nature  as  we  termed  it ;  and 
there  are  men  here  I  ken,  and  who  I  love  weel,  who  used  to  go 
there  for  that  object.  But  oh,  if  it  had  been  God's  pleasure 
to  take  me  away  a  fortnight  since,  I  must  have  been  hurled 
into  eternal  misery.  I  noo  ken  and  feel  that  at  that  time  I  was 
without  God  and  going  fast  to  destruction.  I  aye  heard  folk 
talking  about  sudden  conversions  and  such  like,  but  I  thought 
it  was  nonsense  ;  and  before  this  night  week  I  kent  naething 
about  it,  and  did  not  feel  Christ  in  my  soul.  There  are  men  in 
this  meeting  who  hae  seen  me  struggling  and  striving  for 
Christ,  and  at  last  I  have  found  Him.  Some  said  to  me  that  as 
long  as  there  was  life  there  was  hope  ;  but  my  answer  was,  If 
I'm  saved  at  a',  it  will  be  by  fire.  In  Mr.  Symington's  church 
this  night  week  I  was  urged  to  come  to  Christ  and  be  saved  ; 
but  I  resisted  the  invitation.  I  was  in  great  trouble,  and  a 
man  I  met  with  there  tried  to  comfort  me ;  but  my  soul  was 
overwhelmed.  He  said,  *  Will  I  pray  for  ye?  '  and  with  that 
he  leaned  down  and  poured  out  his  soul  to  God  for  me,  a  guilty 
and  miserable  sinner.  He  saw  that, though  some  little  relieved, 
I  was  still  in  great  anxiety  and  distress,  and  he  said,  *  Just 
gang  away  hame,  and  dinna  weary  yoursel  sitting  here,  but 
gang  to  yer  ain  house,  and  pray  to  God  for  grace.'  I  rose,  and 
gaed  away  hame,  and  there,  by  mysel,  sat  down  on  my  knees 
for  the  first  time  in  my  life.  I  had  no  words  to  express  my 
feelings,  but  I  sat  down  on  my  knees  till  I  found  Jesus  come  to 
my  very  soul.  [This  statement  produced  a  marked  sensation  in 
the  meeting.]  I  was  telling  some  men  in  this  house  last  nicht 
(continued  the  speaker)  how  I  found  Christ  in  prayer,  and  I 
now  toll  them,  and  a'  here  that  are  unconverted,  to  gang  hame 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  131 

to  their  closets  as  I  did,  and  importune  God  to  pour  peace  into 
tlieir  hearts  ;  and  if  they  ask  Him,  faithfully  believing  on  His 
name,  the  blessing  will  be  theirs.  0  heavenly  Father,  look 
down  on  these  poor  deluded  sinners ;  may  they  be  led  to  look 
to  Christ  for  salvation.  0  God,  hear  this  imperfect  prayer. 
Guide  them  in  the  narrow  way  that  leads  unto  life  eternal,  for 
Christ's  sake.  Amen.'  This  prayer,  with  which  the  speaker 
closed  his  striking  narrative,  was  broken  by  emotion,  his  feel- 
ings seemingly  being  too  strong  for  utterance. 

"  Mr.  Hammond  proceeded  to  say,  that  he  had  been  showing 
how  God  was  able  to  turn  sinners  to  himself,  and  here  was  a 
witness  that  the  statement  was  true.  God  called  on  all  uncon- 
verted men  to  turn  from  their  evil  ways.  There  were  some  of 
God's  servants  who  did  not  hold  the  whole  truth  in  regard  to 
this  matter,  and  preached  sinners  down  to  hell.  In  Scripture, 
three  agencies  were  represented  as  being  at  work  in  turning  or 
converting  sinners,  as  described  in  the  following  different  pas- 
sages :  *  He  which  converteth  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  his 
ways,  shall  save  a  soul  from  death.'  '  They  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness,  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever.'  These 
passages  pointed  out  the  agency  of  man ;  while  others,  such  as 
John  vi.  44,  represented  God  as  the  agent.  '  No  man  can  come 
to  me,  except  the  Father  which  hath  sent  me  draw  him.'  Then 
in  the  text  from  which  he  was  speaking,  the  sinner  himself  was 
urged  to  turn.  These  passages  appeared  to  clash  with  each 
other,  but  it  was  only  in  appearance.  In  corroboration  of  this 
remark,  Mr.  Hammond  supposed  the  case  of  a  man  walking  in 
a  reverie  on  the  brink  of  Niagara  Falls,  and  about  to  dn  p  into 
destruction.  In  this  perilous  position  he  is  seen  by  another  in- 
dividual, who  cries  out,  '  Stop,  turn,  or  you  will  perish  !  '  and 
the  man  turns  and  is  saved.  That  man  acknowledges  with 
gratitude  the  service  rendered  to  him  by  the  person  who  called 
upon  him  to  turn  ;  he  speaks,  too,  of  himself  as  being  turned 
irum  the  yawning  gulf ;  and  he  also  returns  thanks  to  God  fox 


132  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

His  providential  interposition,  by  which  he  was  led  to  turn  and 
escape.  Did  the  man  contradict  himself  when  he  thus  spoke 
of  three  agencies  operating  to  save  him  ?  not  a  bit ;  and  in  the 
same  way  there  was  no  contradiction  in  Scripture  when  three 
agencies  were  shown  to  be  at  work  in  converting  the  sinner  — 
three  agents  (not  three  instruments)  —  God,  the  sinner,  and 
God's  servants  —  truth  being  the  instrument. 

*'  We  have  adduced  a  number  of  cases  of  alleged  conversion  ; 
but  the  awakening  of  those  who  were,  in  the  eyes  of  their 
neighbors, consistent  professors  of  Christianity  has  been  another 
great  result  of  the  Revival  in  Dumfries.  One  case  is  described 
to  us  as  a  specimen  among  many :  A  young  lady  who  was  a 
communicant  attended  the  first  meeting  addressed  by  Mr.  Ham- 
mond here  in  the  Free  Church,  and  though  impressed  to  a  slight 
degree,  thought  but  little  of  the  service  generally.  She  went  a 
second  time,  on  the  following  Tuesday  night,  and  felt  her  heart 
thrilled  when  the  following  words  were  sung : 

*  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me. 
And  that  Thou  bidst  me  come  to  Thee, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! ' 

*  Why  not  me  ?  '  was  the  lady's  mental  ejaculation  ;  and  while 
in  the  upper  vestry  among  other  inquirers,  her  attention  was 
attracted  to  a  female  of  humble  rank  prostrate  on  the  floor,  as 
if  overwhelmed  by  a  sense  of  sin.  Mr.  Hammond  was  en- 
deavoring to  comfort  her  by  pleading  that  Jesus  was  a  kind  and 
gracious  Saviour  ;  and  he  closed  his  kindly  exhortation  by  re- 
questing the  other  females  present  to  pray  to  Christ  on  behalf 
of  their  suffering  sister.  The  lady  did  so  in  company  with 
others,  and  while  pleading  for  the  poor  woman,  she  felt  as  if 
the  burden  of  her  own  guilt  was  that  moment  rolled  away,  and 
she  rose  from  her  knees  with  a  full  realization  of  pardon  and 
peace,  and  a  happiness  such  as  she  never  before  experienced. 


OF   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  133 

"  Colonel  Davidson,  from  Edinburgh,  who  has  visited 
Dumfries  for  the  sole  purpose  of  witnessing  and  taking  part 
in  the  Revival  movement,  proceeded  at  considerable  length, 
and  with  great  effect,  to  address  the  meeting.  He  stated  that 
he  had  gone  out  to  India  at  sixteen  years  of  age.  Whilst  in 
this  country,  he  attended  worship  regularly,  sometimes  three 
times  a  day  ;  but  for  the  first  seven  years  after  going  to  India 
he  did  not  hear  as  many  sermons,  so  destitute  was  the  station 
of  the  ordinances  of  grace.  One  day,  when  riding  a  spirited 
horse  alone,  the  animal  became  restive,  and  the  thought  struck 
him,  '  Were  I  to  die  just  now,  would  not  my  soul  be  lost? '  and 
of  this  feeling  he  could  not  divest  himself.  On  the  same  even- 
ing he  dined  with  the  commanding  officer,  and  in  the  course  of 
conversation  the  illness  of  a  brother-officer  was  mentioned,  with 
the  remark  that  '  it  would  go  hard  with  him  '  —  which  remark 
deepened  the  feeling  of  concern  in  his  own  mind.  He  spent 
several  weeks  afterwards  in  great  mental  distress  ;  but  know- 
ing that  one  of  the  officers  was  a  decided  Christian,  he  ven- 
tured, though  in  much  diffidence,  to  break  the  matter  to  him. 
The  words,  '  Justified  by  God's  free  grace,'  were,  he  told  his 
brother-officer,  what  he  could  not  comprehend.  On  parting,  the 
officer  gave  him  Booth's  Reign  of  Grace,  with  an  Introductory 
Essay  by  Dr.  Chalmers,  and  told  him  to  read  the  Essay.  He 
took  the  book  home  with  him,  and  while  reading  the  Essay  as 
desired,  the  light  broke  in  upon  him  —  the  gospel  scheme  flash- 
ed vividly  upon  his  mind.  That  was  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1835  —  a  day  ever  memorable  to  him  —  it  was  the  day  of  his 
second  birth  ;  and  he  kept  its  anniversary  regularly  as  it  came 
round.  Dr.  Chalmers  he  considered  as  his  spiritual  father. 
Colonel  Davidson  proceeded  to  relate  some  of  his  experiences 
in  India  after  his  conversion,  and  in  this  country  after  return- 
ing home  to  it.  His  address  was  exceedingly  interesting,  and 
obviously  made  a  deep  impression  upon  the  audience.  After  a 
few  observations  from  Dr.  Wood,  devotional  exercises  were  en- 
gaged in,  and  the  meeting  terminated. 


134  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  Colonel  Davidson  was  present  at  the  inquiry  meeting  which 
ensued,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  duty  of  ministering  to 
the  spiritual  wants  of  the  anxious. 

"  Much  interest  was  felt  in  a  remarkable  statement  made  at 
this  meeting  by  a  young  gentleman  from  a  distance  —  a  com- 
mercial traveller  we  believe  —  who  had  been  induced  to  appear 
on  the  platform  and  say  a  few  words  regarding  his  own  case. 
He  had,  it  appears,  by  what  is  sometimes  called  accident,  but 
which  he  attributed  to  the  design  of  Providence,  come  to  Dum- 
fries at  this  season  of  awakening,  and  attended  some  of  the 
meetings  without  being  much  impressed.  Still  he  could  not 
stay  away  from  them,  and  on  Thursday,  while  standing  near 
the  door  of  the  Free  Church,  the  words  of  Mr.  Hammond,  as 
he  cried,  *  You  sinner  at  the  door  there,  what  do  you  think  of 
Christ?  '  rung  in  his  ears,  and  pierced  his  very  soul.  He  said 
to  himself  '  I  am  a  sinner,  and  that  appeal  is  made  to  me.' 
Then  Dr.  Wood  solemnly  asked  the  audience  to  choose  on  which 
side  they  would  range  themselves ;  and  the  reflection  passed 
through  his  mind,  '  I  am,  I  fear,  not  on  the  Lord's  side.'  He 
went  home,  and  prayed  that  he  might  find  the  Saviour,  but 
found  Him  not,  because  he  was  always  thinking  what  he  could 
do  for  himself.  This  state  of  mind  continued,  but  on  Friday 
night  he  still  wrestled  and  prayed.  He  spent  that  night  in 
deep  and  bitter  anguish  ;  but,  said  the  speaker,  in  continua- 
tion, raising  his  voice  to  a  high  pitch,  while  tears  streamed 
down  his  face,'  I  rejoice  in  that  night,  for  my  mourning  is  now 
turned  into  joy.  Mr.  Hammond,  on  Saturday  evening,  invited 
inquirers  to  meet  with  him  in  Dr.  Wood's  parlor  at  the  close 
of  the  service.  Well,  I  thought,  he  is  a  young  man,  and  knows 
the  trials  to  which  youth  is  exposed  ;  I  will  go  in  and  take  his 
advice.  I  did  so,  and  he  prayed  with  and  for  me ;  I  prayed, 
and  wrestled  with  the  Evil  One,  who  clung  to  me  as  if  he  would 
not  let  me  go.  These  prayers  on  Saturday  morning  gave  me 
pome  relief,  by  1 1  could  not  say  '  Peace,  peace,  when    there    k 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIEIT.  135 

no  peace.'  Mr.  Himmond,  at  our  interview,  told  me  to  pray. 
Pray  !  and  that  before  a  stranger  !  I  believe  my  poor  mother 
taught  me  how  to  pray ;  and  I  did  fall  down  on  my  knees  and 
pray  there  in  Dr.  Wood's  parlor.  I  experienced  a  si'dien 
change  ;  I  felt  wonderfully  relieved  ;  my  legs  trembled  ;  c  feol- 
ing  came  over  me  that  is  inexpressible.  I  felt  a  glow  of  joy 
that  is  unspeakable.  Three  young  persons  came  in,  and  Mr. 
Hammond  said,  '  Pray  for  these  poor  souls  ; '  and  I,  after  being 
just  delivered  myself,  prayed  that  they  too  might  be  freed  from 
the  bondage  of  sin  and  Satan.  0  sinners  —  those  in  this  as- 
sembly who  have  not  yet  come  to  the  Saviour  —  do  not  think 
that  this  happiness  of  mine  is  mere  excitement.  I  call  upon 
you  to  repent,  and  experience  with  me  the  solid  joy  which  the 
believer  feels  who  brings  the  burden  of  his  guilt  to  Christ,  and 
gets  it  taken  all  away.  I  felt  a  diffidence  at  first  in  addressing 
you,  but  I  thank  God  who  has  enabled  me  to  bear  this  testi- 
mony to  what  has  been  done  for  my  soul.  Were  any  of  my 
friends  to  enter  this  meeting  and  see  me  here  speaking  to  you, 
they  would  be  astonished ;  and  if  any  of  them  really  are  here, 
if  they  would  just  come  forward,  I  would  try  to  comfort  them 
if  they  are  in  distress. '  The  gentleman  closed  his  address  by 
earnestly  exhorting  all  to  come  and  adopt  the  language  of  the 
hymn : 

•  Just  as  I  am  —  without  one  plea. 
But  that  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me. 
And  that  Thou  bidst  me  come  to  Thee, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come ! ' 

"  A  correspondent  has  kindly  favored  us  with  the  following 
statement :  *  The  work  of  conversion  is  advancing  in  Dumfries 
with  unabated  intensity.  Last  Sabbath,  all  the  churches  in 
which  the  Revival  is  advancing  were  crowded  beyond  anything 
ever  before  witnessed  by  their  respective  ministers.  The  num- 
ber of  the  awakened  was  greater  than  on  any  previous  day. 


136  THE   HARVEST  WORK. 

Large  numbers  were  drawn  to  the  town  from  all  the  surround- 
ing country  to  the  extent  of  twenty  miles — some  already  en- 
joying peace  with  God,  that  they  might  have  a  time  of  refresh- 
ing ;  and  others  convinced  of  their  sin,  that  they  might  have, 
under  the  shower  of  the  divine  blessing  descending  here,  the 
cleansing  away  their  guilt  and  the  privilege  of  enjoying  God  as 
their  Father. 

'•  Many  will  have  to  bless  God  for  ever  that  Sabbath,  the 
10th  inst.,  was  the  day  of  their  spiritual  birth,  that  the  eyes 
of  their  understanding  were  opened,  and  that  they  were  trans- 
lated from  the  kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of  light. 
There  have  been  among  the  converts  many  cases  of  intense 
anguish,  protracted  for  several  days,  and  arising  from  their 
eagerness  to  see  the  grand  moral  change  passing  over  their 
heart ;  thus  withdrawing  their  thoughts  from  the  great  propitia- 
tion to  their  own  hearts  full  of  all  sin.  Thus  their  anguish  has 
been  increased,  and  expressed  in  their  piteous  sobs  and  cryings, 
till  some  one  skilled  in  the  art  of  leading  their  thoughts  to 
their  Redeemer,  has  pointed  out  their  mistake,  explained  the 
actual  work  of  the  Saviour  finished  on  the  cross,  and  exhorted 
them  to  trust  in  his  all-sufl&cient  and  boundless  sacrifice ;  and 
then  in  numerous  instances  have  they  almost  instantaneously 
exchanged  the  agony  of  conscious  guilt  for  the  joys  of  pardon 
and  the  hopes  of  everlasting  life.  There  is  a  great  diversity  in 
the  degree  in  which  the  converts  have  been  convinced  of  sin. 
A  large  class  have  experienced  little  distress  of  mind,  and  have 
seen  the  greatness  of  their  guilt  only  after  they  have  discover- 
ed that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  has  washed  it  away.  When 
they  have  realized  the  truth  of  God's  infinite  love  to  them,  in 
blotting  out  their  transgressions  through  the  death  of  his  own 
Son,  it  is  then  that  they  see  the  depth  of  the  ruin  from  which 
they  have  been  rescued.  Hence  their  sorrow  for  past  sin 
mingles  with  their  joy  for  present  pardon. 

"  We  are  now  at  the  stage  of  this  religious  movement  when 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  137 

we  are  qualified  to  estimate  the  causes  by  which  it  has  been 
produced,  and  to  see  the  means  by  which  it  may  be  continued 
and  enlarged  till  the  whole  county  of  Dumfries  may  be  brought 
under  its  saving  power. 

"  And  first  of  all,  in  point  of  importance,  is  prayer  for  the 
influence  of  the  Spirit  to  open  the  heart  to  the  gospel.  Ihe 
prayer  of  faith  brings  the  blessing  just  as  certainly  as  the 
apostles  wrought  miracles  on  the  bodies  of  men  in  the  first 
age  of  Christianity.  During  the  last  three  weeks  the  minds  of 
scoflfers,  and  infidels,  and  profane  swearers  have  undergone  a 
radical  change,  just  when  a  few  earnest  and  believing  men 
were  praying  especially  for  them.  The  tidings  of  God's  in- 
finite love  to  them  have  been  embraced,  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments their  hearts  of  stone  have  become  like  the  hearts  of 
little  children.  Mr.  Hammond  is  pre-eminently  a  man  of 
strong  faith,  assured  that, when  he  asks  the  Holy  Spirit,  God  is 
willing  to  bestow  Him.  At  our  forenoon  meeting,  he  exposed 
the  unbelief  of  Christians  in  their  prayers,  when  they  ask  if 
God  be  willing  to  give  His  blessing,  He  would  grant  it.  That 
if  shows  the  unbelief  which  remains  in  their  heart,  which 
renders  the  prayer  an  abomination  to  our  Father,  who  has 
sworn  that  He  has  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  a  sinner. 

"  Some  have  expressed  surprise  that  Mr.  Hammond's  preach- 
ing should  have  been  followed  with  such  amazing  results  in  the 
awakening  and  conversion  of  sinners.  This  surprise  is  in  a 
great  measure  the  fruit  of  ignorance.  Never  was  there  so 
much  prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing  in  Dumfries  as  now,  and 
never  were  there  so  many  faithful  and  pointed  appeals  to  the 
consciences  as  now  ;  and  the  rich  harvest  is  the  fruit  of  the 
abundant  seed.  Mr.  Hammond  faithfully  urges  on  the  sinner 
his  duty  of  turning  to  God,  and  of  trusting  in  Christ.  He 
shows  the  condition  with  which  the  sinner  must  comply  to  enter 
into  the  enjoyment  of  salvation.  While  praying  to  Gcd  for  hia 
help,  he  appeals  to  the  sinner  to  do  his  part,  to  comply  with 


138  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

the  invitation,  '  Come  to  Me,  I  will  give  you  rest.'  The  truth 
which  saves  the  soul  is  plainly  set  forth,  difficulties  are  re- 
moved, objections  answered,  prejudices  exposed,  and  the  sinner 
is  at  length  compelled  to  come  in. 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  is  equally  explicit  in  teaching  that  the 
believer  is  an  agent  in  the  work  of  converting  sinners — not  a 
mere  instrument  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit.  The  gospel  is  the 
instrument  or  hammer  which  breaks  the  heart  of  stone,  and  the 
believer  is  an  agent  when  he  uses  it.  So  is  the  mason.  The 
first  stroke  does  not  break  a  hard  stone  —  it  may  require  a 
second,  and  a  third,  but  each  stroke  is  separating,  although  in- 
visibly, the  particles  of  the  stone,  and  it  may  be  that  the  tenth 
stroke  rends  them  assunder.  Thus  the  mason  is  an  agent,  and 
eo  is  the  Christian.  In  prayer,  God  is  recognized  as  the  great 
agent.  But  it  has  paralyzed  the  Christian  when  he  has  thought 
of  himself  only  as  an  instrument.  He  has  lived  years  without 
once  aiming  to  convert  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  ways,  but 
when  he  sees  himself  an  agent,  he  is  constrained  to  work  as 
well  as  to  pray,  and  then  the  blessing  descends  on  his  labors. 
It  is  seen  in  the  early  church  when  the  disciples  were  scattered 
abroad,  and  went  everywhere  preaching  the  Word ;  and  in  the 
young  converts  going  to  the  towns  and  villages  around,  and 
making  known  the  tidings  of  the  Redeemer's  love. 

"  The  more  that  sinners  feel  their  responsibility,  and  the 
more  that  believers  regard  themselves  as  agents  accountable  to 
God  for  working  to  convert  sinners,  the  more  the  work  of  Re- 
vival will  spread.  Prayer  and  working  on  the  part  of  believers 
are  necessary  to  the  continuance  of  the  Revival,  and  in  the 
measure  in  which  these  are  given  will  the  Revival  flourish  and 
spread." 

At  the  close  of  the  special  services,  the  seven 
pastors  of  Dumfries,  united  in  the  following  volun- 
tary testimony  published  at  the  tirne^ 


OF   THE  HOLT   SPIRIT.  139 

*'  We  believe  the  religious  Awakening  in  Dumfries  and 
neighborhood,  to  which  they  refer,  to  be  a  real  work  of  the  grace 
and  Spirit  of  God.  Mere  natural  feeling  and  human  imperfec- 
tion are,  no  doubt,  mingled  with  it.  But  having  been  in  the 
midst  of  it,  and  incessantly  occupied  with  it  for  the  last  three 
weeks,  and  having  seen  it  in  all  its  aspects,  we  unhesitatingly 
express  our  conviction  that  it  is  a  very  wonderful  and  most 
blessed  work,  by  which  many  souls  have  been  brought  to 
Christ,  and  many  of  God's  people  have  received  a  fresh  baptism 
of  the  Spirit." 

The  statements  of  the  venerable  Dr.  Wood,  are 
very  forcible  and  convincing.  Referring  to  the 
labors  of  the  Evangelist,  he  goes  on  to  remark : 

"  I  happened  to  be  detained  in  Edinburgh  from  indisposition 
during  the  first  week  of  his  visit,  and  on  coming  home  found 
him  in  my  church,  surrounded  by  a  most  eager,  convinced  mul- 
titude of  perishing  sinners.  It  was  a  thing  such  as  I  had  never 
seen  before,  and  I  saw  my  way  at  once  to  take  part  in  it.  I 
joined  with  the  managers  of  the  church  in  working  along  with 
Mr.  Hammond,  strengthening  his  hands  and  encouraging  him 
in  his  work ;  and  we  found  that  the  Lord  was  blessing  his  work 
—  using  Mr.  Hammond  as  an  eminent  instrument  in  awaken- 
ing sinners,  and  bringing  them  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  When 
I  was  here  before,  my  object  in  the  address  delivered  by  me  in 
Hope  Street  Gaelic  Church  was  to  show,  if  possible,  that  this 
was  no  wild  excitement  produced  by  Mr.  Hammond,  but  the 
real  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  I  think  I  succeeded  in  show- 
ing it  was  no  mere  work  of  man,  but  of  God ;  and  I  repeat  the 
statement.  I  find  that  it  is  not  unneeded,  and  that  persons 
Btill  refuse  to  believe  that  it  is  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
maintaining  that  it  is  a  movement  guided  by  Mr.  Hammond  and 
the  ministers.    I  find  numbers  of  those  personis  in  and  arouji  * 


140  THE  HARVEST    WORK 

Dumfries,  and  there  may  be  not  a  few  such  in  Glasgow ;  but 
the  more  conversant  I  am  with  this  work,  the  more  thoroughly 
I  am  persuaded  that  it  is  a  genuine  work  of  the  grace  and 
Spirit  of  God.  The  great  stir  which  it  at  first  produced  is  now 
abated,  and  I  am  coming  in  contact  with  my  own  people  more 
frequently,  while  our  meeting?,  are  better  attended.  I  have  had 
occasion  to  come  in  contact  with  them  preparatory  to  the  com- 
munion, and  I  feel  now  as  I  never  felt  before  in  my  ministry. 
[  have  found  people  greatly  changed,  of  whose  sincerity  I  can- 
not entertain  a  doubt,  and  am  ready  to  hold  up  my  hands  with 
surprise  when  I  meet  with  men  who  persist  in  calling  it  all  a 
delusion,  and  denounce  Mr.  Hammond  and  others  for  getting 
up  an  *  excitement.'  It  is  quite  true  that  these  men  have 
looked  on  at  a  distance,  and  have  never  come  in  contact  with 
the  work  itself ;  for  I  am  persuaded  that  hardly  any  honest  man 
can  come  in  contact  with  this  work,  and  deal  with  it  in  a  faith- 
ful, honest  way,  without  being  convinced  that  there  is  some- 
thing in  it  far  above  man.  Mr.  Hammond  continued  with  us 
two  weeks,  laboring,  I  may  say,  day  and  night,  and  we  all  re- 
joiced in  his  labors.  We  had  people  coming  from  all  places 
round  about  Dumfries  at  that  time.  One  invitation  after  an- 
other came  to  Mr.  Hammond  from  country  places,  three  or  four 
of  which  he  visited  for  a  day,  or  part  of  one.  The  same  re- 
sults attended  the  meetings  there,  which  followed  his  labor  in 
Dumfries.  He  gathered  the  people  about  him  and  the  ministers 
who  labored  with  him  ;  and  the  cry  was,  '  What  must  I  do  to 
be  saved  ? ' 

"  This  awakening  was  by  no  means  confined  to  the  town  of 
Dumfries  and  Annan  —  it  is  extending  through  all  the  countr> 
round  about  for  twenty  miles,  at  least ;  and  I  do  not  believe 
there  is  a  single  village  or  hamlet  within  that  area  which  has 
not  in  some  measure  partaken  of  the  awakening.  At  his  first 
meeting  the  church  was  filled  —  a  very  unusual  occurrence  — 
ftrd  the  awakening  began  that  night      Then  there  were  meet- 


OJ*  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  141 

ings  at  Penpont,  about  fifteen  mil(«  from  Dumfries,  and  the 
Free  Church  was  crowded.  An  awakening  took  place,  and 
now,  I  believe,  meetings  are  frequently  held  alternately  in  the 
U.  P.  Church  at  Thornhill,  the  Free  Church  at  Penpont,  and 
the  U.  P.  Church  at  Bumhead.  Large  meetings  are  held 
there  night  after  night,  and  I  believe  a  most  blessed  work  is 
going  on  in  the  district.  Mr.  Hammond  paid  a  visit  for  one 
night  to  Penpont,  and  had  a  forenoon  meeting  in  Glencaim. 
Just  as  if  to  show  how  little  it  depends  upon  any  human 
agency,  before  he  had  opened  his  mouth  a  number  of  persons 
were  removed  from  the  church  in  deep  distress  about  the  con- 
cerns of  their  souls." 

We  have  read  with  pleasure  a  further  report  of 
Dr.  Wood  before  the  General  Assembly,  a  year  and 
a  half  since  the  revival  scenes,  comprising  all  that  he 
had  previously  stated ;  and  in  vsrhich  he  compared  the 
subsidence  of  the  excitement,  to  the  disappearance  of 
the  waters  of  the  Nile  from  the  banks,  leaving  the 
richness  and  fertility  of  the  fields  in  the  wake  of 
their  withdrawal.  Such  was  the  apostolic  refresh- 
ing in  this  favored  city,  which,  whatever  of  human 
weakness  appeared,  was  Pentecost  in  these  latter 
days. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Glasgow.  The  awakening.  Mr.  Hammond's  method  of  conducting 
the  religious  services  and  style  of  preaching.  The  progress  of  the 
work.  Children's  meeting.  Letters  of  converts.  Meeting  for 
women.  Summary.  Glasgow,  on  the  banks  of  the  Clyde,  is  one 
of  the  oldest  and  largest  cities  of  Scotland ;  nearly  opposite  to 
Edinburgh. 

Mr.  Hammond  commenced  his  labors  in  Dr. 
Buchanan's  beautiful  church,  whose  congregation 
represent  much  of  the  wealth  and  culture  of  the 
city.  He  afterward  preached  for  a  number  of  even- 
ings in  Hope  St.  Church.  The  awakening  spread 
through  the  town  with  great  power. 

We  have  in  a  small  volume  published  by  the 
friends  of  revivals  in  Glasgow,  a  full  report  of  Mr. 
Hammond's  method  of  conducting  services,  con*- 
taining  an  outline  of  a  sermon,  which  we  give  in 
connection  with  the  awakening  in  that  city,  to 
gratify  the  natural  curiosity  which  may  be  felt  on 
this  point,  and  on  account  of  interesting  thoughts 
and  facts  in  the  passage. 

The  editor  of  the  Examiner,  Dr.  Smith,  says  : 

"  On  Sabbath,  24th  February,  according  to  anBOuncement, 
this  well-knovrn  evangelist  preached  in  the  Free  College  Church. 
At  the  announced  hour,  eleven  o'clock,  he  ascended  the  pulpit. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  143 

He  gave  out  the  first  four  verses  of  the  46th  Psalm,  vrhich  vv^as 
Bungby  the  congregation.  He  then  rose  and  said  — '  We  are 
going  to  pray.  Some  here  may  have  never  prayed,  and  many 
never  pray  till  too  late.'  He  told  a  story  of  a  Christian  and  in- 
fidel who  were  in  a  boat  on  the  Niagara  river,  who,  as  they 
reasoned,  approached  the  falls  of  that  river.  When  the  infidel 
became  aware  of  his  peril  his  courage  failed,  and  he  began  to 
cry  to  God  for  mercy.  His  Christian  friend,  who  was  prepared 
for  death,  took  the  oars  and  wrought  the  boat  ashore,  when  the 
infidel  was  paralyzed  with  terror.  So  many  pray  only  when  in 
view  of  danger  and  death.  Of  Paul  it  was  said,  '  Behold  he 
prayeth. '  He  had  often  been  seen  standing  at  the  corner  of  tha 
streets  thanking  God  that  he  was  not  like  other  men  ;  but  that 
was  not  prayer.  But  now  he  prays  as  a  sinner,  and  seeks 
mercy.  After  a  few  more  remarks  he  commenced  to  pray.  His 
prayer  was  rather  brief  and  peculiar.     He  prayed  for  the  city 

—  for  the  West-end  especially  —  for  the  Magistrates  of  the 
city,  that  they  might  not,  like  the  rich  man,  lift  up  their 
eyes  in  hell.  He  prayed  for  the  congregation  and  for  its 
pastor,  that  the  seed  he  scattered  might  bear  fruit.  He  then 
gave  out  to  be  read  the  6th  chapter  of  Matthew's  gospel,  but 
only  read  the  first  six  verses,  which  refer  to  the  hypocritical 
and  ostentatious  prayer  of  the  Pharisee,  &c.  He  then  gave  out 
to  be  sung  the  first  four  verses  of  the  116th  Psalm.  Before  it 
was  sung  he  said  that  this  Psalm  had  been  properly  called  the 
new  convert's  Psalm,  because  it  so  well  expressed  his  agony 
and  relief  when  he  found  peace.  After  the  words  were  sung 
he  gave  out  for  the  text,  Job.  22d  chap,  and  21st  and  22d  verses 

—  *  Acquaint  now  thyself  with  Him  and  be  at  peace,  thereby 
good  will  come  to  thee.  Receive,  I  pray  thee,  the  law  from 
His  mouth  and  lay  up  His  words  m  thine  heart.'  He  said  we 
are  here  exhorted  to  acquaint  ourselves  with  God.  Last  sum- 
mer, when  travelling  to  France  by  way  of  Calais,  there  was  a 
young  man  on  board  the  steamer,  who  landed  with  others  at 


144  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

Calais.  He  left  the  steamer  as  light  of  heart  as  any,  to  pto- 
secute  his  journey,  till  an  officer  touched  him  on  the  shoulder 
and  demanded  his  passport.  He  said  he  had  no  passport.  He 
was  conducted  back  to  the  vessel,  and  had  to  return  to  England 
for  his  passport.  Had  I  seen  that  young  man  in  the  streets  of 
London  before  he  left,  I  might  have  told  him  to  secure  a  pass- 
port, and  he  might  not  have  heeded  me.  I  might  liave  told 
him  that  Napoleon  was  not  beloved  by  his  subjects  as  our  Queen 
was,  and  assumed  that  every  one  who  visited  France  might  be 
an  assassin.  I  might  have  advised  him  to  acquaint  himself  with 
Napoleon  and  his  Government  before  he  went  there,  and  I 
might  have  secured  his  gratitude  for  inducing  him  to  make  the 
necessary  preparations.  I  am  here  to-day  to  do  a  similar  duty 
—  to  bid  you  acquaint  yourselves  with  God  —  to  urge  on  you 
the  lesson  of  the  text.  The  text  includes  a  what,  a  who,  a 
why,  and  a  when.  First,  we  are  told  what  to  do;  a  what  — 
The  text  bids  us  acquaint  ourselves  with  God.  The  advice  was 
first  given  to  Job,  who  already  knew  much  of  God.  He  was 
like  many  in  Scotland,  which  is  the  land  of  Bibles  and  specula- 
tive knowledge,  and  sound  theology,  for  all  of  which  God 
should  be  thanked.  Many  know  much  about  God  who  don't 
know  God  —  who  don't  know  Jesus  Christ.  In  America  we, 
at  meetings,  go  round  among  the  people  and  say,  *  Do  you  know 
God')  not  about  God ;  but  do  you  know  Him. '  I  have  seen  in 
Switzerland  the  mountain  glaciers  glistening  in  the  sunlight. 
But  these  glaciers  in  winter  are  bleak  and  cold  —  send  down  no 
refreshing  streams  to  the  bare  pastures.  It  is  only  when  the 
Bun  shines  on  them  that  they  send  down  fertilizing  streams  to 
refresh  the  pastures  and  make  the  flocks  rejoice.  So  is  it  with 
systematic  theology  —  magnificent  it  is,  but  cold  and  cheerless 
till  the  sun  shines  on  it.  The  head  may  be  all  right  and  the 
heart  all  wrong.  The  Pharisees  were  in  this  way.  They  had 
head  knowledge,  but  it  left  the  heart  untouched.  The  text 
pays  we  are  to  know  God  —  not  to  know  about  him.    Job  says, 


OF    THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  145 

'  I  have  heard  of  Thee,  but  now  mine  eyes  see  Thee.'  That  is 
knowing  God,  and  the  effect  was  that  Job  abhorred  himself, 
and  repented  in  dust  and  ashes.  Have  you  thus  seen  God  as  a 
holy  God  ?  —  one  that  will  not  clear  the  finally  impenitent  — 
as  a  God  that  will  bring  every  work  into  judgment  with  every 
secret  thing.'  Job  was  highly  esteemed,  and  had  he  lived  in 
our  time  he  would  have  been  an  elder.  Nicodemue  was  of  the 
same  respectable  class.  How  many  looked  up  to  him  as  he 
passed  along  the  streets  making  broad  his  phylacteries  on  that 
memorable  evening  that  he  met  with  the  Saviour.  As  he  went 
along  they  saw  the  texts  of  Scripture  on  his  garments,  and 
they  thought  him  a  very  holy  man  ;  but  Jesus  told  him  very 
plainly  that  he  must  be  born  again.  Better  to  be  convinced  of 
sin  now  than  when  too  late  —  better  know  now  whether  you 
have  on  the  weddmg  garment.  Many  will  go  forward  to  the 
judgment  under  a  mistake,  and  say  have  we  not  eaten  and 
drunken  in  Thy  presence,  and  Thou  hast  taught  in  our  streets? 
They  have  been  only  hoarders  in  the  family  of  Christ.  How 
many  such  professors  there  are?  To  whom  Christ  will  s&y,  *  I 
never  knew  you  —  you  have  no  passport  —  you  are  not  clothed 
in  the  righteousness  of  Christ.'  Better  far  to  be  convinced  of 
sin  to-day  than  at  the  judgment-seat.  Better  to  be  bowed 
down  under  a  sense  of  sin  now  than  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot 
at  last  and  cast  out.  All  here  know  about  the  Queen,  but  all 
do'nt  know  her  —  all  do  not  correspond  with  her  or  dine  with 
her.  There  is  a  great  difference  between  knowing  about  one, 
and  knowing  one  :  Christians  know  God.  This  morning  not  a 
few  of  you  have  been  saying  —  Oh  that  thou  wouldest  rend  the 
heavens  and  come  down  to-day  —  that  the  mountains  —  moun- 
tains of  sin  and  infidelity  —  might  flow  at  thy  presence.  Where 
g'j  the  Christians  every  morning — returning  with  their  coun- 
tenances beaming  like  that  of  Moses  ?  They  go  to  a  friend,  to 
hold  converse  with  God  ;  they  have  a  friend  that  poor  sinners 
have  not.     I  have  seen  a  godly  mother  stealing  away  to  her 


146  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

apartment,  and  I  have  crept  after  that  holy  mother  to  ascertain 
with  whom  she  was  speaking,  but  I  could  see  no  one.  She  was 
speaking  with  one  with  whom  I  was  not  acquainted,  and  often 
singing  these  sweet  verses :  — 

*  Sweet  the  moments,  rich  in  blessing, 

Which  before  the  cross  I  spend. 
Life,  and  health,  and  peace  possessing. 

From  the  sinner's  dying  friend. 
Here  I  '11  sit  for  ever  viewing 

Mercy  streaming  in  his  blood  ; 
Precious  drops  !  my  soul  bedewing. 

Plead  and  claim  my  peace  with  God.' 

The  Christian  has  a  friend  that  will  never  leave,  and  never  for 
sake  —  not  in  the  Valley  of  Death,  for  there  his  rod  and  staff 
will  support  him.  But  we  come,  secondly,  to  the  how  of  the 
text.  How  are  we  to  know  God  ?  By  '  receiving  the  law  from 
His  mouth,  and  laying  up  His  words  in  our  heart.'  Many  com- 
plain of  the  terrors  of  the  law.  They  say,  tell  us  of  the  love 
of  (jod,  but  not  of  hell-fire.  The  Unitarians  in  America,  and 
Socinians  in  this  country,do  not  like  the  law,  but  till  we  know 
God's  justice  we  will  not  appreciate  His  mercy.  No  doubt 
some  are  drawn  gently  to  Christ,  but  others  are  driven  with 
terror.  A  man  in  the  upper  floor  of  a  house  in  London  is 
busy  reading  a  book.  A  man  with  a  fire  escape  salutes  him, 
and  tells  him  to  come  down  ;  but  he  never  hears  the  man.  He 
will  not  stir  till  a  door  is  thrown  open,  and  he  sees  the  build- 
ing is  on  fire,  and  then  he  leaves  his  book  and  is  thankful  to 
go  with  the  man  with  the  fire-escape.  So  it  is  with  sinners. 
We  may  tell  them  all  about  Jesus,  but  men  listen  as  if  they 
listened  to  a  schoolboy's  oration.  When  urged  to  come  to 
Jesus  they  heed  not ;  but  when  the  law  comes  —  that  law 
which  is  a  schoolmaster,  or  a  servant,  to  lead  us  to  Christ  — 
comes  with  its  curse,  Jesus  is  prized  as  redeeming  from  that 
curse      Man;*    of  you   are  living  in  carnal  security  and  will 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  147 

not  ciyme.  That  man  in  London  would  not  stir  till  he  saw 
the  house  on  fire  ;  and  so  you  will  not  come  till  you  see 
your  danger — till  the  enmity  of  the  natural  heart  is  slain. 
God  will  not  take  you  into  his  house  while  you  are  an  enemy. 
At  Dumfries,  an  elder  got  the  law  into  his  heart,  and  he  could 
not  eat,  and  could  not  sleep.  He  confessed  before  the  great 
congregation  that  he  had  not  till  then  known  God.  And 
there,  too,  a  minister  said,  that  for  thirty  years  he  had  been 
a  preacher,  while  he  was  as  ignorant  of  Christ  as  if  he  had 
been  a  Hindoo  or  a  Mahomedan.  Dr.  Chalmers,  like  Dr. 
Thomas  Scott,  for  twelve  long  years  preached  a  dead  morality 
before  he  was  savingly  acquainted  with  God  in  Christ  recon- 
ciled. What  a  contrast  between  the  audiences  before  and 
after  his  conversion.  Look  in  upon  that  crowd  of  listeners  in 
the  church  of  Kilmany.  The  full  rounded  periods  and  musical 
cadences  of  the  speaker  fall  with  pleasure  on  their  ears.  His 
matchless  strains  of  eloquence  transport  their  minds  to  the 
blissful  regions  of  his  rich  imagination,  but  alas,  while  his 
words  delight  and  gain  ascent  they  are  impotent  to  change  the 
will  and  influence  the  life.  But  a  change  comes  over  the 
speaker.  See  him  again  in  the  Tron  Church  of  Glasgow.  He 
no  longer  possesses  that  eloquence  whose  o^ject  is  to  please,  nor 
that  higher  kind  which  pleases  and  instructs,  but  he  now  pos- 
sesses that  which  is  far  above  these,  and  is  the  object  of  all  real 
eloquence  —  the  power  of  persuasion.  He  now  speaks  with 
winning  eloquence  from  the  depths  of  his  own  experience. 
The  appearance  of  the  audience,  too,  is  no  less  changed.  The 
tearful  eye,  and  the  compressed  lip  betoken  the  sorrowing 
heart  and  firm  resolve.  While  on  the  countenance  of  some, 
despair  is  depicted,  showing  the  deep  work  of  the  Spirit  in  con- 
vincing of  sin,  the  faces  of  others  are  radiant  with  new  found 
hopes.  The  speaker  has  received  the  '  law  into  his  heart,  and 
C^ris^,  as  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness.'  When  the 
law  comes,  men  then  listen  as  for  their  lives  —  not  to  the  soft 


148  THE   HARVEST  WORK. 

cadences  or  rounded  periods  of  the  preacher,  but  to  know  how 
they  can  be  saved.  A  deacon  that  had  heard  of  revivals  in  other 
towns  thought  he  would  like  a  revival  in  his  own  town.  So  he 
arranged  with  others  for  a  meeting,  and  attended  it,  and 
was  delighted  as  the  speaker  went  on,  and  said  to  himself — 
'  That's  a  hit  for  so  and  so.'  He  was  a  deacon,  and  was  re- 
quested to  stay  to  the  inquirer's  meeting.  He  knew  not  what 
to  say  to  weeping  souls.  Nat  knowing  him  I  said  to  him, 
*  Are  you  a  friend  of  Jesus  ?  '  He  went  away  without  saying  a 
word  and  was  in  great  agony,  and  like  Saul  he  was  three  days 
without  sleeping  or  eating,  and  then  found  peace  ;  and  I  have 
a  letter  from  him  in  which  he  tells  me  all  about  it,  which  I 
would  read  to  you  if  I  had  time.  How  unlike  this  to  an  elder  in 
a  town  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  who  objected  to  our  late  meet- 
ing. He  said,  We  don't  want  those  things  here,  and  our 
minister  would  not  like  it  if  he  were  at  home.  Some  go  away 
angry,  and  I  would  rather  that  men  would  go  away  dis" 
pleased, than  merely  saying  it  was  all  very  well.  He  referred 
to  a  lady  at  Huntly,  who  was  a  scoffer,  for  there  are  scoffers  in 
all  classes.  She  laughed  at  the  idea  of  filling  a  large  tent  with 
listeners  to  a  revivalist,  and  yet  the  preacher  met  the  lady 
changed  and  converted  by  these  meetings.  Nor  will  you  ever 
seek  Jesus  till  you  are  convinced  of  your  lost  state.  He  told  a 
story  of  an  American  gay  painter  who  was  so  disgusted  with 
reports  of  revivals  in  Bennet's  New  York  Herald,  that  he  sent 
notice  to  stop  his  paper.  He  tried  the  Tribune,  and  it  was  also 
full  of  revivals.  He  tried  the  Times,  and  it  was  worse.  He 
began  to  think  there  must  be  something  in  these  revivals,  and 
he  went  to  a  meeting.  Night  after  night  he  attended,  became 
interested,  and  at  last  rose  up  in  the  meeting  and  said  —  "I 
am  a  lost  sinner;  pray  for  me''  —  and  he  found  peace  in 
believing.  It  is  when  we  see  Jesus  providing  a  righteousness 
for  us,  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  and  bruised  for  our 
iniquities,  that  we  find  peace.      But,  thirdly,  why  are  we  to  ao 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  149 

quaint  ourselves  with  God  ?  That  we  may  have  peace.  Peace. 
Peace  is  a  fruit  of  the  Spirit.  Love,  joy.  Religion  is  not  the 
gloomy  thing  many  think  it.  Yes,  it  brings  peace.  I  have 
seen  magistrates  standing  up  in  the  crowded  meeting  and  say- 
ing that  till  now  they  never  knew  real  peace.  Happy  now,  fr.r 
their  sin  was  washed  away.  Know  you  this  peace  ?  It  is  a 
delusion  to  assume  that  you  cannot  know  whether  you  have 
this  peace.  A  whole  epistle  has  been  written  that  you  may 
know  that  '  you  have  eternal  life.'  Not  that  you  m^j  hope 
or  trust  you  have  it ;  but  that  you  may  know  you  have  it. 
Have  you  a  love  for  Christ,  for  the  Bible,  for  Christians,  for 
holiness  ?  Don't  take  it  for  granted.  Don't  leave  this  house 
till  you  find  peace.  But,  fourthly,  when  are  you  to  acquaint 
yourselves  with  God  ?  The  text  says  now  —  now  is  the  ap- 
pointed time.  Christ  says  — '  Look  and  be  saved.'  The  devil 
is  here  to-day,  and  he  says  not  now.  Did  Peter  at  Pentecost 
say  to  the  thousands,  go  and  pray  for  six  weeks?  No  ;  he  said 
repent  now. 

'*The  discourse,  of  which  the  preceding  is  a  pretty  full  out- 
line, occupied  an  hour  and  a  half  in  delivery.  After  a  few 
words  of  prayer,  and  singing  two  verses  of  the  26th  Para- 
phrase, he  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  the  crowded  con- 
gregation was  dismissed  at  a  quarter-past  one  o'clock — Satur- 
day, March  2. 

"  Appended  to  this  report  is  the  following  remark  :  '  We 
hope  the  visit  of  this  young  American  to  our  city  will  do  good. 
There  are  in  Glasgow,  one  hundred  thousand  persons  who  go  to 
no  church."' 

The  subjoined  account  of  a  "  children's  meet* 
ing,"  will  aflford  interest. 


150  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

"  A  meeting  of  the  most  interesting  kind  tc  ok  place  on 
Saturday  morning  last,  in  the  Hall  of  the  College.  There  have 
been  of  late  so  many  services  exclusively  for  children,  and  the 
benefits  have  been  so  very  conspicuous,  that  it  became  desirable 
to  secure  the  same  advantages  for  the  children  of  the  better 
classes  resident  in  the  West-end.  Through  the  exertions  of 
two  or  three  ladies  resident  in  that  quarter  this  was  secured, 
and  Saturday  morning  was  the  initiative  of  these  gatherings. 
So  cordial  was  the  response  to  the  invitations  given,  that  the 
hall  was  entirely  full,  mothers  bringing  their  dear  little  chil- 
dren, some  of  them  not  much  more  than  five  years  of  age,  and 
all  of  them  seeming  glad  to  be  present.  It  was  a  fine  sight. 
Parents  and  children  all  there,  and  all  to  worship  God,  with 
gentlemen  in  the  ministry.  It  was  the  complete  representation 
as  the  Spirit  describes  it,  of  the  Church  —  the  '  whole  family  of 
God  on  earth.'  Dr.  Hetherington  presided,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnot 
and  Mr.  Hammond  on  either  side.  On  the  platform  there  were 
also  Rev.  Messrs.  Muir  and  Alexander ;  Robert  M'Cowan, 
Esq.  ;  Mr.  Gall,  from  Edinburgh,  and  others. 

**  After  singing  Psalm  23d,  which  is  regarded  by  many  as  the 
child's  psalm,  and  a  short  prayer  by  Dr.  Hetherington,  Mr. 
Arnot  made  some  interesting  remarks,  clustering  them  round 
the  lovely  idea  of  *  Ministering  children.'  Religion  had  first 
pointed  her  finger  to  them  that  she  might  draw  attention  to 
their  importance,  their  influence,  and  their  value.  But  the 
eye  had  grown  dull,  and  had  failed  to  look  and  discern  what 
religion  would  have  us  to  see.  Of  late,  literature  had  been 
pointing  in  the  same  direction,  but  he  hoped  that  religion  was 
again  to  obtain  the  supremacy.  He  thought  there  were  many 
indications  of  that.  One  such  had  come  under  his  own  notice 
the  other  day.  An  elderly  man  had  called  on  him  in  great  dis- 
tress of  mind.  He  had  been  at  the  revival  meeting  in  St. 
Peter's,  on  Thursday  last,  and  had  left  it  unmoved,  but 
sauntering  along  the  street,  a  group  of  very  young  children 
were  singing, 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  151 

*  I  love  Jesus,  Hallelujah, 

I  love  Jesus,  yes  I  do  ; 
I  love  Jesus,  He's  my  Saviour  ; 
Jesus  smiles  and  loves  me  too.' 

"  The  man  of  fifty  eummers  found  that  he  had  no  Bong 
wherewith  he  could  glorify  his  Lord  and  Saviour.  He  had 
made  a  discovery  of  hiR  poverty,  and  that  the  lisping  child  was 
richer  than  him.  The  melody  of  these  young  voices  had  done 
what  the  stirring  sermon  of  the  preacher  had  failed  to  do  — 
melted  the  frozen  heart. 

"  On  the  conclusion  of  these  remarks,  there  was  sung  the 
appropriate  hymn  of 

'  Come  to  Jesus,  come  to  Jesus  ; 
Come  to  Jesus  just  now.' 

*'  Mr.  G.  Ross  gave  an  account  of  the  conversion  of  a  little 
boy  at  a  child's  prayer  meeting,  and  the  difficulties  thrown  in 
his  way  by  his  mother  and  uncle  to  keep  him  back.  On  re- 
turning from  the  second  prayer  meeting  he  caught  a  contagious 
disease,  and  Mr.  Ross  spoke  touchingly  of  how  this  child  wit- 
nessed for  Jesus  while  dying. 

*  Ere  sin  could  blight  or  sorrow  fade. 

Death  came,  with  friendly  care; 
The  opening  bud  to  Heaven  conveyed, 
And  bade  it  blossom  there. ' 

"  Many  a  little  heart  seemed  touched  at  this  mournful  recital, 
and  we  all  rose  and  sang  — 

*  We're  travelling  home  to  Heaven  above, 
To  sing  the  Saviour's  dying  love; 

Will  you  go  ?    Will  you  go  ?  ' 

*'  The  Rev.  Mr.  Muir  directed  the  attention  of  another  part 
of  the  audience  to  the  testimony  of  the  Scriptures  concerning 
such  meetings  as  tlie  present  —  that  while  there  was  no  t-x- 


152  THE  HARVEST    WORK 

plicit  injunction  to  grown-up  people  to  come  to  Jesus,  there 
was  for  children ,  and  couched  in  language  that  almost  warned 
against  hindrances  being  thrown  in  their  way  — '  Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not.' 

*  Come  to  Jesus,  come  to  Jesus, 
Come  to  Jesus  just  now; 
He  will  save  you  just  now; 
He  is  willing  just  now.' 

**  The  exercises  closed  with  singing,  which  filled  the  hall  and 
thrilled  every  heart.  At  the  close  of  such  service,  the  inquiry 
meeting  is  usually  a  season  of  subduing  tenderness.  Familiar 
conversation  and  prayer  with  them  often  continuing  for  another 
hour,  while  smile  and  tears  are  seen  on  many  faces.  Though 
much  of  feeling  may  be  mere  sympathy,  this  cannot  injure  the 
weepers,  and  numbers  are  converted." 

The  classification  of  individuals,  and  the  direct 
appeal  thus  received  was  no  insignificant  element 
of  power  in  all  these  special  efforts  —  or  rather 
apostolic,  means  of  reaching  the  multitude.  The 
men,  women  and  children,  were  each  addressed.  To 
get  at  people,  was  the  great  aim.  As  an  illustration, 
we  take  from  a  report,  the  sketch  of  an  immense 
(rathering  of  females  alone  —  with  an  allusion  to 
another  for  men. 

*'  We  give  the  following  summary  of  the  address  which  Mr. 
Hammond  delivered  on  Friday  evening,  at  the  crowded  meeting 
of  females,  held  in  Free  St.  Mark's  Church,  his  remarks  being 
founded  on  the  words  in  Luke  x.  42  —  "Mary  hath  chosen 
that  good  part  which  shall  not  be  taken  away  from  her  :  "  — 

"How  small  and  trivial,  as  measured  by  the  world's  opinions^ 
are  many  of  the  materials  that  are  found  in  Scripture.    Such 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  153 

things  -dti  we  pass  by  every  day  as  common-place —  scarce  worth 
a  thought  —  find  their  counterpart  in  holy  wi'it,  and  there  re- 
ceive a  stamp  and  character  which  reveals  their  significance. 
All  that  is  what  could  not  fail  to  be,  since  the  Testaments  are 
a  disclosure  of  human  life  as  it  is  in  itself,  not  as  we  think  it 
to  be  ;  and  of  the  deep  import  it  derives  from  its  relation  to  the 
uncreated   God,   and  all   the  high  and  lioly  spiritualities  of 
heaven  on  one  side,  and  all  the  malignant  powers  of  darkness 
on  the  other.     And  here,  in  these  words,  what  have  we  ?    The 
register  of  a  woman's  choice  —  not  a  very  important  thing,  we 
would  say  ;  yet  the  Holy  Ghost  judges  diflferently,  and  has  in- 
serted the  transaction  as  an  integral  part  of  the  Scriptures,  to 
continue  through  ail  time.     Here  is  a  woman,  a  young  woman, 
we  may  believe,  who  has  made  a  choice,  given  a  deliberate  pre- 
ference—  a  preference  which  with  her  was  all-absorbing — to  a 
certain  thing,  and  the  object  of  her  choice  is  called   '  that  good 
part.'     Now,  what  is  that  good   part  which  Mary  chose?     One 
came  to  Jesus  while  he  was  on  earth,  and  called  him  '  Good  Mas- 
ter.' '  Why  call  ye  me  good?  none  is  good  but  God,'  was  the  re- 
ply.   All,  then,  that  is  truly  good,  enduringly  good,  must  come 
from  God  ;  and,  as  he  is  a  Spirit,  all  that  proceeds  from  him,  all 
that  he  bestows,  must  be  of  his  nature  —  spiritual.     The  true 
good  is  a  spiritual  thing,  and  is  God's  own  gift.     Mary's  choice 
fell  upon  a  spiritual  good,  and  because  she  chose  it,  she  got  it  — 
got  it  to  keep  for  ever  ; '  it  was  never  to  be  taken  away  from  her.' 
And  was  this  a  chimerical  choice  of  Mary's  —  a  dim,  intangible 
thing  —  a  sort  of  vagaery?    We  are  not  left  in  any  doubt 
about  it ;  we  learn  precisely  what  it  was.     It  was  no  mere  notion, 
no  fine  poetical  idea,  no  phantasm  of  the  imagination ;  but  that 
good  part  was  a  high  and  holy  love  for  the  highest  and  holiest 
Person  —  even  the  Saviour.     And  this  is  the  true  character  of 
love,  that  it  always  goes  out  upon  a  living  person,  and  is,  be- 
sides, essentially  elective.     We  cannot  love  a  mere  idea ;  and 
we  cannot  love  every  one.    Love  always  chooses ;  and  Mary  had 


154  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

chosen.  Herein  lay  the  hidden  reality,  and  it  had  the  powei 
to  move  her  whole  being.  See  her,  after  a  time,  mourning  for 
her  brother.      While  Martha,  in  her  business  kind  of  way, 

*  went  and  met '  the  Lord  in  the  neighborhood,  and  held  a  long 
conversation  with  Him,  Mary  *  sat  still,'  heedless  of  the 
proffered  words  of  comfort  which  were  addressed  to  her  ;  but 

*  as  soon  as  she  heard  that '  *  the  Master '  called  her,  *  she 
arose  quickly  and  came  unto  Him.'  Her  love  for  her  dead 
brother  was  engulphed  in  her  deeper  love  for  her  *  Master.' 
Such  spiritual  love  is  the  strongest  motive  power  that  can  oc- 
cupy angels  or  men.  This  was  Mary's  '  good  part '  —  her 
portion  —  God,  her  *  portion  for  ever.' 

"  Now,  it  is  this  spiritual  love,  this  *  good  part,'  which  Mary 
chose,  that  we  want  you,  dear  friends  about  me,  to  choose  also. 
There  are  a  great  many  Marthas  here  to-night,  and  if  they  go 
on  as  they  are  doing,  engrossed  with  the  '  cares  of  this  life,* 
they  '11  be  reproved  one  day  by  the  Master.  You  are  cumbered 
with  many  things  ;  you  find  your  burden  heavy  ;  fling  it  from 
you  ;  it  will  weigh  you  down  to  earth  ;  it  will  make  you 
earthy,  and  at  last  sink  you  to  hell.  Yes  ;  Just  the  '  cares  of 
this  life  '  will  do  that. 

"  Temporally,  you  will  find  it  best  to  serve  the  Lord.  Rising 
up  early,  and  sitting  up  late,  and  eating  the  bread  of  careful- 
ness, makes  life  one  unbroken  drudgery ;  it  is  not  the  work, 
but  the  anxiety,  the  carefulness  that  does  it.  But  the  Lord 
says,  '  Hegiveth  His  beloved  sleep.'  And  in  place  of  all  that 
cankering  care  which  eats  out  the  life  of  the  Marthas,  the 
Marys,  who  never  forget  that  they  must  do  with  all  their  might 
wliatsoever  their  hand  findeth  to  do,  have  yet  this  repose  point- 
ed at  in  these  words,  '  I  will  both  lay  me  down  in  peace,  and 
sleep  ;  for  thou,  Lord,  only  makest  me  dwell  in  safety.'  And 
you,  fashionable  young  ladies,  what  are  you  doing?  Do  you 
ever  think,  when  you  are  decking  your  person  in  order  to  ob- 
tain notice,  and  assuming  those  manners  and  modes  of  conver. 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  155 

Bation  to  suit  time  and  place,  how  much  you  are  injuiing  your 
very  best  nature?  Do  you  ever  think  how  shallow,  how  super- 
ficial and  artificial,  all  that  makes  you? — how  it  keeps  you 
back  from  ever  knowing  what  integrity  of  sentiment  really  is? 
And  when  you  are  talking  with  gay  and  flippant  young  men, 
and  accommodating  yourselves  to  their  perverted  tastes  and 
crude  talk,  do  you  ever  think  how  far  you  are  departing  from 
that  fine  womanly  independence  —  not  haughty  independence, 
but  womanly  independence  —  which  gives  such  unspeakable 
worth  to  womankind  ?  You  wish  to  be  admired ,  and  all  right 
that  you  should ;  but  have  —  have  the  qualities  which  are 
capable  of  awakening  admiration  in  a  high-toned  mind,  and 
there  will  be  no  need  to  pander ;  and  whoever  are  not  capable 
of  discerning  those  qualities,  but  relish  something  inferior,  their 
admiration  is  not  worth  having.  Going  to  promiscuous  parties 
has  perverted  more  young  hearts,  and  wasted  more  talented 
young  minds,  than  any  other  thing.  Such  visiting  is  a  great 
evil.  It  is  there  that  many  a  fine  young  girl  loses  that  fresh- 
ness which  has  such  a  charm  —  which  is  to  her  what  the  aroma 
is  to  the  grape,  and  the  down  upon  the  peach;  but  which,  once 
lost,  can  never  be  restored.  And  what  follows  upon  this? 
Mannerisms  and  pruderies  ;  and  these  are  shallow  things,  and 
easily  seen  through,  and,  like  all  counterfeits,  they  are  always 
awkward  at  some  point  or  other  —  but 

•  True  modesty  is  a  discerning  gi-ace. 
And  only  blushes  at  the  right  time  and  place.* 

"  "Wherever  genuine  womanly  modesty  exists  —  let  whatsoever 
arise  to  her,  let  whatsoever  approach  her,  clean  or  unclean,  it 
matters  not  —  this  quality  is  never  fouxid  wanting  ;  it  is 
never  absent  without  leave  ;  it  is  never  slumbering  or  sleeping, 
but  is  always  at  its  post  —  the  most  vigilant  and  untiring  of  all 
the  warders  of  the  citadel  of  her  being,  that  walk  patrol  by  day, 
or  call  aloud  the  watches  of  the  night.     But  parents  areas 


156  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

much  to  blame,  as  their  daughters  and  many  times  more  so. 
They  rear  their  children  —  in  the  nurture  and  fear  of  the  Lord  ? 
No  ;  but,  worldly,  time-serving  themselves,  they  bring  up  their 
children  to  be  as  much  like  themselves  as  possible.  Their  edu- 
cation is  on  a  false  principle.  Instead  of  bringing  up  their 
daughters  to  fit  them  for  the  lovely  and  lofty  duties  of  life,  to 
have  those  principles  which  fit  them  for  meeting  the  dangers, 
and  sorrows,  and  vicissitudes  which  life  brings  to  most,  with 
patience,  self-denial,  and  hope,  the  influence  of  many  a  home  is 
to  dispose  the  young  female  mind  to  think  only  of  getting 
married  —  making  an  eligible  settlement.  True,  the  ordinary 
destiny  of  women  is  to  be  married  ;  but  there  are  higher 
destinies  than  that, to  which  they  may  attain ;  and  it  is  a  pitia- 
ble thing  to  have  always  one  thought  and  project  befere  one's 
mind.  But ,  besides ,  worldly  men  do  n '  t  care  for  worldly  women. 
There  is  many  a  man  who  cares  nothing  for  Christianity  for 
himself,  but  he  believes  it  to  be  a  good  thing,  and  he  seeks  to 
find  it  in  the  woman  to  whom  he  would  ally  himself.  Oh ! 
dear  friends,  there  is  no  such  hard,  selfish  thing  as  the  heart  of 
an  unregenerated  man.  Though  he  is  quite  incapable  of  honor- 
ing the  life  that  dwells  in  a  Christian  woman,  yet  he  knows  that 
his  honor  is  safe  with  her  and  he  likes  it  to  be  safe. 

"  Now,  as  an  instance  of  how  much  parents  are  to  blame  in 
educating  their  daughters  for  the  world  and  not  for  God, 
I  may  tell  you  of  one  young  lady  in  New  York.  The  Spirit  of 
God  had  been  strivng  with  her,  and  she  became  greatly  concerned 
about  her  soul.  Now,  if  she  had  gone  on  at  this  time,  she 
would  have  really  entered  the  kingdom,  and  been  a  child  of 
God.  But  her  father  thought  —  a  fine  young  girl  like  that, 
moping  and  talking  about  religion  !  It  made  him  uneasy  ;  and, 
as  his  daughter  was  very  pretty,  he  thought  to  get  her  married 
to  some  rich  man.  That  man  was  trading  upon  his  child's 
good  looks  just  as  many  another  father  does.  He  said  to  his 
daughter,Bhe  must  go  into  society,  must  be  gay  and  fascinating. 


OF  THE    HOLY  SPIRIT.  157 

just  as  she  had  been  before  what  he  called  a  serious  fit  came  on. 
There  was  a  fine  fashionable  assembly  in  the  city,  which  the 
father  wished  his  daughter  to  attend  ;  he  promised  her  a  rich 
dress  and  valuable  jewels,  if  she  would  do  so ;  she,  with  re- 
luctance, consented.  Grieved  the  Holy  Spirit  and  lost  all  con- 
viction, and  from  that  moment  was  '  past  feeling  .^  She  caught 
cold,  and  in  two  weeks  was  close  upon  death.  She  tried  to 
think  of  her  soul,  but  she  could  not.  She  had  her  rich  drees 
spread  out  upon  a  table,  and  the  costly  jewels  placed  beside  it, 
and,  sending  for  her  father,  pointed  with  her  fevered  hand,  and 
said  these  dreadful  words,  *  There  is  the  price  of  my  soul. 
I  see  plainly  that  what  I  've  often  heard  is  true.  I  have  grieved 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  he  hast  left  me.'  And  in  darkness  that 
young  creature  sunk  into  eternity,  the  victim  of  her  father's 
worldliness.  Ah !  '  godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things, 
having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  o{  that  which  is  to 
come.' 

'*  And  you,  young  Christian  women  here,  are  you  going  to 
ally  yourselves  with  worldly  men,  unregenerate  men?  Will 
you  come  down  from  the  lofty  place  your  heavenly  Father  has 
given  you,  and  be  yoked  with  the  children  of  the  Evil  One? 
How  can  you  ?  Will  you  in  this  momentous  thing  disobey  the 
word  of  your  Father  in  heaven  ?  Has  He  not  said,  '  Be  ye  not 
unequally  yoked  together  with  unbelievers  ;  for  what  fellowship 
hath  righteousness  with  unrighteousness  ?  and  what  communion 
hath  light  with  darkness?'  Fear  not,  fear  not,  commit  all 
things  to  Him  who  *  careth  for  you.'  Believe,  there  is  not  a 
feeling  lovely  and  pure  in  itself  that  he  has  implanted  in  the 
human  heart  that  He  disregards.  He  will  undertake  to  satisfy 
all  —  all.  But  let  Him.  Emotions,  desires  that  may  pervade 
the  whole  being,  but  for  which  words  are  too  clumsy.  He  will 
discern.  Come  before  Him  ;  come  near  to  Him,  as  a  child  to  a 
father.  He  knows  you  far  better  than  you  do  yourselves.  He 
hears  the  prayer  of  the  heart,  though  never  spoken. 

"  Yet  all  these  are  poor  and  paltry  motives  which  I  ha?© 


158  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

been  urging  upon  you,  to  turn  and  give  yourselves  to  Ch  X  ; 
but  they  may  show  you  that 'godliness  is  profitable'for  thia  ifo. 

*  They  vainly  struggle  to  preserve  a  part 
Who  have  not  courage  to  contend  for  all.' 

"  The  Christian,  who  is  casting  side  glances  to  the  world,  has 
yet  hankerings  after  the  world.  Ah  !  we  must  and  should  all 
live  to  God  first-hand.  All  of  us  have  hindrances  and  difficulties, 
arising  out  of  early  habits,  education,  or  position,  which  we 
have  to  contend  with  ;  but  we  will  resort  to  expedients  to  sur- 
mount these  disadvantages,  if  we  have  Christian  wisdom. 
And  the  surest  way  of  complete  conquest  is  entire,  unreserved 
dedication  of  all  our  powers  and  self  to  God  and  the  Lord  our 
Saviour.  Constantly  straining  upwards,  never  looking  back, 
never  looking  down,  but  ever  forwards  and  upwards  — 

*  Not  backward  are  our  glances  bent. 
But  onwards  to  our  Father's  home '  — 

inhaling  the  Spirit,  and  reflecting  the  loveliness  and  holiness, 
that  communicable  attribute  of  the  great  Jehovah.  Ah  !  dear 
Christians,  seek  to  adorn  your  life — to  saturate  the  world  with 
heaven,  and  life  with  God,  for  that  is  the  genius  of  true  Chris- 
tianity. Can  you  forsake  all  for  Christ  ?  Can  you  enter  upon 
the  high  destiny  which  God  has  ensured  for  you !  Can  you 
say  — 

*  Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken, 

All  to  leave  and  follow  Thee  ! 
Naked,  poor,  despised,  forsaken. 
Thou,  from  hence,  my  all  shalt  be. 

•Perish  every  fond  ambition — 

All  I've  sought,  or  hoped,  or  known; 
Yet  how  rich  is  my  condition ! 

God  and  heaven  are  still  my  otnu 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  159 

•  Soul,  then  know  thy  full  salvation ; 

Rise  o'er  sin,  and  fear,  and  care; 
Joy  to  find,in  every  station. 
Something  still  to  do  or  bear. 

*  Think  what  Spirit  dwells  within  thee ; 

Think  what  Father's  smUes  are  thine; 
Think  that  Jesus  died  to  win  thee: 
Child  of  heaven,  can'st  thou  repine?  * 

"These  lines  are  the  utterances  of  a  young  lady,  who,  though 
persecuted  by  rich  Christian  parents,  yet,  like  Mary,  had 
made  her  choice  —  chosen  the  good  part — not  taken  up  a  pro- 
fesssion,  but  become  united  to  her  living  Saviour  ;  and  her 
choice  is  registered  in  heaven,  as  Mary's  was  —  written  in  the 
Lamb's  Book  of  Life,  the  heart  of  the  Saviour.  And,  as  she 
sped  on  from  grace  to  glory,  when  the  pearly  gates  were  open- 
ing upon  her,  she  could  softly  murmur  — 

*  One  sweetly  solemn  thought 

Comes  to  me  o'er  and  o'er  — 
I'm  nearer  home  to-day 

Than  I've  ever  been  before. 
Nearer  my  Father's  house. 

Where  the  many  mansions  be; 
Nearer  the  great  white  throne. 

Nearer  the  jasper  sea; 
Nearer  the  bounds  of  life. 

Where  I  lay  my  armor  down; 
Nearer  leaving  the  Cross, 

Nearer  wearing  the  Crown.* 

Oh,  yes  !  for  her  to  live  was  Christ,  and  to  die  was  gain.  Shall 
this  be  your  pcrtion,  all  here —  Christ  your  all  in  all?  Shall 
it  be  — 

*  '  Tis  done  —  the  great  transction  's  done — 
I  am  my  Lord"s,and  He  is  mine  ! ' 

Then  have  you  that  hope  which  maketh  not  ashamed  ?  The 
hope  of  standing  at  the  great  white  throne  before  the  '  sea  of 


160  THE  HARVEST    WOKK 

glass,'  striking  jour  harp,  and  casting  your  golden  crown, 
einging,  '  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  all 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,  and 
glory  and  blessing  ?  ' 

"  We  have  tried  to  give  the  scope  of  the  address  which  Mr. 
Hammond  made  on  Friday  evening  last.  The  audience  wae 
composed  exclusively  of  females,  and  they  were  of  all  classes 
and  of  all  ages.  This  kind  of  gathering  had  been  considered  by 
some  as  novel ;  and  novel  it  was,  certainly.  But  why  not 
special  provision  for  special  ends  ?  It  was  feared  it  would  be  a 
failure,  and  we  heard  that  it  had  even  been  proposed  that  Mr. 
Hammond  should  alter  its  character.  Such  meetings  had  been 
blessed  in  other  places;  and,  as  the  undeniable  aim  of  Mr. 
Hammond  is  to  win  souls,  he  believed  God  would  bless  the  same 
means  in  Glasgow  as  elswhere.  *The  just  shall  live  by  faith.' 
The  church  was  crowded,  and  scores  had  to  go  away.  The 
presence  of  God's  Spirit  was  conspicuous  ;  and  that  evening  we 
think  scarcely  a  tithe  left  after  the  close  of  the  services,  but  re- 
mained for  private  conversation  with  the  clergymen  and  Chris- 
tian gentlemen  who  came  at  the  close  for  the  inquiry  meeting. 

"  On  the  Saturday  following,  Mr.  Hammond  gave  a  service  ex- 
clusively to  men.  From  one  of  the  leading  journals  we  take  the 
following  short  notice  :  — '  The  spacious  church,  holding  about 
two  thousand,  was  crowded  to  excess,  and  we  are  happy  to  add 
that  good  evidence  appeared  that  his  address  on  that  occasion 
produced  very  satisfactory  results — some  young  men  abandon- 
ing their  evil  habits,  and  confessing  their  obligation  to  the 
speaker  even  before  leaving  the  church.' 

"  During  these  few  weeks  past,  an  interest  in  this  work  of 
revival  has  been  growing  among  those  classes  who  are  engaged 
in  business,  both  as  principles  and  subordinates,  and  the  column 
of  '  Revival  Intelligence  '  is  now  looked  for  and  read  by  many 
of  those  in  the  counting-house,  the  bank,  and  the  warehouse. 
To  meet  this  growing  interest,  we  would  give  a  rapid  sketch  of 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIEIT.  161 

the  proceedingo  of  that  evening,  which  may  be  taken  as  a  sam- 
ple of  revival  meetings. 

"The  Rev.  Mr.  Arnot  opened  the  Bervices  with  praise  and 
prajer,  and  Mr,  Hammond  was  then  introduced.  He  remarked 
that  he  was  aware  there  had  been  revivals  of  religion  ever  shice 
the  time  of  Christ,  though  the  Spirit  had  been  poured  out  more 
abundantly  at  some  times  than  others;  and  it  was  especially 
apparent  in  the  present  times,  that  men  were  realizing  the 
necessity  of  knowing  whether  they  were  in  the  sheepfold  or  out 
of  it  —  in  the  city  of  refuge,  or  on  the  way  to  it ;  or  were  care- 
lessly sleeping,  while  the  Avenger  was  hard  by,  ready  to  de- 
stroy them.  The  Lord,  in  His  sovereign  mercy,  was  using 
largely  the  experiences  of  those  who  had  been  savingly  convert- 
ed, for  the  good  of  others  not  yet  able  to  say,  '  The  Lord  is  my 
Shepherd.'  Their  pastor  had  kindly  consented  to  allow  two  of 
those  converts  to  relate  the  manner  in  which,  in  their  caeeB,  < 
the  great  change  had  been  eflected. 

"  The  gentlemen  gladly  availed  themselves  of  the  occasion  to 
tell  of  their  conversion. 

"  A  stout  elderly  man,  we  should  suppose  of  sixty  years  of 
age,  stood  forward,  but  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Arnot  went  into 
the  pulpit,  that  all  might  see  and  hear  him.  In  a  very  un- 
sophisticated way,  he  stated  what  is  so  usual  —  the  long,  care- 
less, self-satisfied  life  —  at  last  induced  to  go  to  one  of  the 
meetings  in  St.  Mark's  —  felt  there  was  something  wrong  — 
began  to  be  troubled  —  went  a  second  time  —  was  wishful  that 
some  godly  persons  would  speak  with  him,  but  they  all  seemed 
to  pass  him  by.  He  had  a  strong  desire  to  find  Christ  in  his 
own  bedroom  ;  it  would  have  been  more  agreeable  to  his  own 
feelings'.  For  a  fortnight  he  walked  the  streets,  groaning  with- 
in himself  ;  felt  now  what  he  had  so  often  heard,  that  sin  was 
a  burden  ;  at  last  determined  to  go  to  another  meeting,  and 
there  either  die  or  be  saved.  And  he  believed  that  God  made 
his  salvation  hinge   upon  his  obedience,  in  giving  up  his  own 


162  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

likings  ot  being  saved  in  his  own  closet,  and  taking  salvation 
where  the  Spirit  was  dealing  it  out.  He  stayed  to  the  inquiry 
meeting,  and  that  night  found  the  living  Saviour.  He  further 
stated  that,  though  he  knew  it  not,  his  conversion  was  in 
answer  to  prayer.  His  son  had  been  converted  sixteen  months 
ago,  also  a  daughter  living  at  Dunbarton,  both  of  whom  had 
been  sending  in  petitions  at  the  various  meetings." 

On  Sabbath  forenoon,  in  Blackfriars  Baptist  Cha- 
pel, Mr.  Hammond  addressed  the  congregation  from 
Acts  xii.  7,  "  Arise  up  quickly."  A  large  number 
remained  to  the  inquiry  meeting  which  followed. 
In  the  course  of  his  address,  Mr.  Hammond  read 
the  following  letter,  from  an  office-bearer  in  the 
•church: 

"  My  dear  Friend, — When  I  attended  your  first  sermon  I  felt 
in  noways  different  than  I  had  ofttimes,  in  listening  to  sermons. 
I  was  not  void  of  religious  feelings,  and  was  most  strict  in  ob- 
serving all  religious  ordinances,  and  had  a  pleasure  in  waiting 
upon  the  exercises  of  the  house  of  God.  I  heard  you  on  the 
following  evening,  and, though  I  cannot  say  I  was  unmoved,  yet 
no  deep  impression  was  made.  I  however  thought  all  was  not 
right  with  me  ;  with  all  my  regularity  and  attention  to  divine 
things,  I  had  not  the  Witness  that  all  was  well  with  my  soul, 
and  I  that  night  resolved  upon  seeing  you  in  regard  to  my 
state.  I  was  prevented  from  doing  this,  or  from  hearing  you 
again  for  a  week,  from  a  dangerous  illness  intervening,  and 
any  impression  I  may  have  had  during  that  period  had  subsided, 
or  altogether  gone.  I  was  able  to  hear  you  again  on  the  second 
Monday  evening,  and  I  was  then  brought  under  strong  convic- 
tions that  I  was  yet  without  Christ,  at  enmity  with  God,  with- 
out a  saving  interest  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  without  love  for  the 


O^  THE  HOLY  STIRIT.  163 

Saviour,  who  had  done  so  much  for  me;  that  I  had  been  dishon- 
oring God  in  going  on  in  this  way  so  long,  and  not  yielding  him 
a  reasonable  service  of  soul  and  body.  In  the  inquiry  meeting, 
my  feelings  were  intensified  by  the  question  from  a  friend, 
*  Have  you  found  Christ?'  and  for  the  first  time  I  had  honestly 
met  that  question,  and  resolved  to  face  it ;  and  I  had  to  confess, 
I  could  not  answer,  '  yes.'  This  was  a  momentous  question, 
and  I  then  realized  its  full  meaning  for  the  first  time,  and  I  was 
then  brought  into  an  agony  of  mind  not  easily  described.  I 
was  unable  to  lay  hold  upon  any  consolation  that  night,  and 
went  home  sorrowful  of  heart ;  all  my  church-going  regularity, 
my  exemplary  moral  character  and  behavior,  what  were  they 
to  rest  upon  at  such  a  juncture  ?  I  found  nothing  less  than  a 
believing  apprehension  and  application  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  to 
my  guilty  soul  could  satisfy  me,  and  the  difficulty  arose,  how  am 
I  to  attain  to  this.  I  poured  out  my  heart  to  God  in 
prayer  in  earnestness,  that  He  would  give  me  His  holy  Spirit  to 
direct  and  enlighten  my  darkened  understanding,  that  he  would 
reveal  the  way  of  salvation  to  me.  I  remained  in  deep  concern 
all  that  night  and  next  day.  During  your  address,  the  truth 
did  flash  into  my  soul,  and  I  was  enabled  to  rely  upon  Jesus 
solely  for  a  full  and  free  salvation,  and  to  give  myself,  body  and 
soul,  to  Jesus,  and  rest  upon  Him  to  be  a  hiding  place  from  the 
storm,  and  a  covert  from  the  tempest.  What  an  inexpressible 
feeling  of  delight,  when  I  was  able  from  the  heart  to  say,  '  I 
know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,'  and  that  what  I  have  commit- 
ted to  His  charge,  He  will  keep  against  that  great  day.  On 
this  occasion,  long  to  be  remembered  by  me  individually,  as  well 
as  in  connection  with  the  great  work  of  the  Spirit,  a  night  sig- 
nally blessed  of  God  to  many  souls,  when  the  very  presence  of 
Him, who  ruleth  over  all,  was,  as  it  were,  felt  and  seen  among 
us,  you  came  to  me,  and  I  was  then  enabled  to  say  that  I  had 
decided  fcr  Jesus  ;  and  I  was  that  night  able  to  speak  of  Jesus 
and  his  love  to  anxious  souls,  whose  position  I  had  so  lately,  by 
the  grace  and  mercy  of  God,  been  enabled  to  exchange. 


164  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

'*  A  few  thoughts  have  occurred  to  me  in  reviewing  the  Lord's 
dealings  with  me,  which  I  hope  you  will  pardon  me  for  stating 
here:  —  What  would  have  been  my  fate  this  day,  had  the  Lord, 
in  his  infinite  justice,  cut  me  off  from  the  land  of  the  living  and 
place  of  hope,  during  my  severe  illness,  to  which  I  was  subject- 
ed, after  hearing  you  twice  ?  Oh,  the  thought  is  appalling  !  but 
thanks  be  to  God  for  having  spared  me,  and  given  me  the  victory 
over  death  !  I  would  also  say  what  a  fallacy  it  is  to  defer  con- 
sideration of  the  interests  of  the  soul,  and  the  preparation  for 
death  and  eternity,  to  a  season  of  affliction,  which,  much  to  be 
feared,  is  too  common.  Oh,  there  never  was  a  more  dangerous 
expedient! — one  of  the  devil's  allurements  —  to  deceive  and 
ruin  the  soul.  '  Now  is  the  accepted  time ;  now  is  the  day  of 
salvation  ! '  not  when  the  poor  body  is  racked  with  pain,  and 
when  all  the  thoughts  are  necessary  for  the  poor  body  in  such 
circumstances.  I  can  testify  to  this,  and  most  certainly  such  is 
the  case  with  the  ungodly  ;  in  such  a  case,  I  can  fancy  the 
tumult  within ,  when  the  summons  come  to  an  unprepared  one, 
'  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God,'  and  the  feeling  must  then  be  as  it 
really  is,  that  to  be  saved  must  be  as  by  fire. 

"  I  rejoice,  dear  brother,  in  being  able  to  write  you  such  a 
letter,  and  I  thank  the  Lord  for  it. 

Dumfries,  M  April,  1861. 

The  letter  which  follows,  was  written  by  an 
educated  and  refined  young  lady,  and  read  in  on^ 
of  the  meetings  at  Hope  St.  Free  Church : 

"  My  Dear  Mr.  Hammond,  —  I  was  present  when  you  ad 
dressed  the  meeting  on  Monday  evening,  and,  althougl 
solemnized  by  the  earnestness  and  truthfulness  of  your  appea" 
to  sinners,  I  did  not  feel  the  applicability  of  it  to  my  own  case 
I  was  a  professing  Christian,  had  been  a  communicant  for  thref 
years,  and  had  occasionally  been  in  great  grief  and  anxietj 
about  my  soul's  welfare.     While  you  were  speaking,  I  felt  oon 


•  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  165 

Bcious  that  I  did  aot  love  Jesus  as  1  ought,  and  I  resolved  to  be- 
gin again  a  reformation,  bj  praying  oftener,  and  reading  the 
Bible  more.     While  waiting  for  the  crowd  to  pass  out,  you 
came  to  me  and  said,  '  Have  you  found  Jesus?  '    It  thrilled  me 
to  the  heart ;  it  seemed  as  if  God  himself  had  put  that  ques- 
tion to  me.     Its  importance,  and  the  singularity  of  its  being 
put  to  me  so  personally,  made  me  almost  incapable  of  replying. 
At  last  I  said, '  I  am  afraid  not.'     You  said  something  about 
the  *  Love  of  Jesus,'  and  '  inquiry  meeting  ;  '  but  I  could  think 
only    of    that    question.       I  went  home,  and  it  was  ever 
with  me.     I  was  at  the  next  three  meetings,  and  was  intensely 
miserable,  for  I  then  knew  and  felt  myself  to  be  a  great  sinner. 
I  spent  half  the  nights  in  prayers  and  tears,  and  yet  I  shrunk 
from  remaining  to  the  inquiry  meeting,  for,  being  naturally  ex- 
tremely sensitive,  I  dreaded  the  taunts  and  jeers  of  my  com- 
panions.    I  had  been  asking  myself  what  I  must  give  up,  in 
order  to  be  Christ's  ;  and  I  felt  I  wished  to  make  a  reservation 
with  regard  to  dancing  and  parties.     Being  passionately  fond 
of  music  as  well  as  dancing,  I  concluded  that  if  I  went  only  to 
small  parties  of  ten  or  twelve  and  played  for  them,  but  abstain- 
ed from  dancing  myself,  that  that  would  be  enough.     This  will 
appear  trivial  to  you,  but  I  know  many  of  my  friends  stumble 
at  the  same  thing.     On  Thursday  evening  you  said  something 
about   false  communicants  which  pierced  my  heart.     All  my 
pride  gave  way  ;  all  dislike  to  the  inquiry  meeting ;  and  the 
idea  that  I  was  the  only  one  in  my  own  circle  who  would  be 
present  at  it  aflPected  me  nothing  then.     I  stayed,  but  could  find 
no   opportunity  of  speaking  to  you,  and  left  more  wretched 
than  ever.     I  wrote  to  you  the  next  morning  entreating  your 
prayers,  and  requesting  to  see  you  in  the  evening.     You  read 
my  letter  from  the  platform  to  the  meeting,  and  some  of  your 
remarks  absolutely  terrified  me.     Your  strongest  denunciations 
against  sinners  seemed  tame  compared  with  those  used  in  re- 
gard to  me.     I  saw  and  realized  my  guilt  and  danger  then  as  I 


166  THE   HAKVEST   WORK 

had  never  done  before.  After  you  had  bo  kindly  spoken  to  me 
and  prayed  for  me,  you  startled  me  very  much  by  asking  me  to 
tell  you  what  was  the  sin  which  kept  me  from  Jesus.  I  was 
sincere  when  1  said,  I  knew  of  none,  and  that  I  was  willing  to 
give  up  all  for  Jesus.  I  felt  I  could  trust  Him  for  salvation. 
That  feeling  remained  for  half  an  hour,  and  then  all  my  de- 
spair and  wretchedness  returned.  I  never  can  describe  the 
agony  I  suffered  during  that  night,  and  the  two  terrible  weeks 
which  followed.  I  did  not  doubt  God's  willingness  to  save  me, 
—  my  anguish  arose  from  the  thoughts,  that  I  did  not  really 
understand  what  *  coming  to  Jesus '  meant,  that  there  w^s 
some  mysterious  feeling  connected  with  faith  of  which  I  was 
ignorant,  and  some  sin  still  hidden,  which  kept  me  from  God. 
I  besought  Him  to  show  it  to  me,  and  tear  it  away.  I  was  al- 
most heart-broken  when  the  thought  came  to  me,  that  my  love 
for  my  mother,  which  approaches  to  idolatry,  was  the  '  right 
hand  '  or  '  eye '  which  stood  betwixt  me  and  the  Saviour. 
God  alone  knows  the  struggle  I  had  before  I  could  bring  my- 
self to  say  to  Him  in  truth  to  take  her  from  me  by  death, 
rather  than  lose  Jesus.  I  wrote  a  solemn  covenant,  dedicating 
myself  unreservedly  to  God  and  his  service,  trusting  quietly 
but  with  perfect  faith  in  his  goodness,  and  in  Jesus'  atone- 
ment. Two  passages  in  the  Bible  were  especially  blessed  to 
me — Isaiah  1.  10,  'Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the 
Lord,  that  obeyeth  the  voice  of  his  servant,  that  walketh  in 
darkness,  and  hath  no  light  ?  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God.'  Lam.  iii.  25,  26,  *  The 
Lord  is  good  unto  them  that  wait  for  him,  to  the  soul  that 
seeketh  him.  It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope  and 
quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord.'  Since  then  I 
have  never  doubted  my  safety,  but  I  have  been  well  nigh 
crushed  to  the  earth  with  a  sense  of  sin  and  unworthiness ; 
indeed,  I  have  realized  myself  to  be  infinitely  more  weak, 
erring,  and  guilty  than  I  did  before.    My  struggle  with  sin 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  167 

has  been  such,  that  I  feel  and  look  as  if  I  had  been  prostrated 
by  some  terril>le  illness.  Now  that  I  have  found  the  *  pearl 
of  great  price,'  how  small  and  contemptible  do  all  former 
joys  and  pleasures  appear  to  me,  when  compared  with  the 
peace  which,  indeed,  passeth  understanding.  I  have  no  words, 
my  dear  Sir,  with  which  to  express  the  intense  delight  I 
have  felt  ever  since.  You  spoke  about  God's  love  to  us  in 
Jesus  Christ.  I  never  felt  so  near  to  God  as  I  did  then. 
That  one  idea,  '  The  love  of  God,'  has  filled  me  with  the 
most  exquisite  joy.  I  feel  I  could  write  pages,  and  yet  be 
unable  to  describe  my  delight.  The  thought  that  I  am  no  long- 
er alone  in  the  world,  and  that  I  have  a  brother  and  friend 
in  Jesus  the  King  of  kings,  is  inexpressibly  sweet  to  me. 

*'  I  tremble  to  think  what  would  have  become  of  me  if  I 
had  not  been   present   that  evening    when  ji-ou  first  spoke  to 

me.      I  must  teU  you  about  that  night.       Miss is  my 

dearest  friend,  and  on  my  asking  her  to  go  with  me,  her 
brother  objected,  and  said  he  would  go  to  take  care  of  me,  as 
I  was  doing  wrong  to  go.  He  tired,  and  left  before  your  ad- 
dress was  finished.     How  I  bless  God  that  I  did  not  go  with 

him.     Miss went  one  evening,  and  was  present  when  you 

read  and  commented  on  my  first  letter.  She  called  for  me 
next  morning,  and  on  asking  what  was  vn*ong,  I  told  her 
how  wretched  I  was,  and  urged  her  to  think  about  her  soul. 
She  alluded  to  the  letter  you  read,  and  said,  that  had  made  her 
think.  I- can  never  forget  her  astonishment,  when  I  told  her  I 
wrote  it.  She  burst  into  tears,  and  said,  '  Oh,  if  you  are  so 
wicked,  what  am  T?'  She  promised  to  wait  for  the  inquiry 
meeting.  I  asked  your  prayers  for  her,  and  she  is  now,  along 
with  her  6ro^Aer, rejoicing  in  Jesus." 

In  the   progress  of  the  work  a   "  special  service 
for  cabmen"  was   held,  which  a  writer  thus   de 
scribes : 


168  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

' '  Ou  Sunday  last  a  special  service  was  given  in  the  City 
Hall,  at  mid-day,  for  cabmen  and  drivers.  It  had  been  in  con- 
templation for  a  week  or  two  previous,  but  the  many  hindran- 
ces that  encircle  that  large  community  of  men ,  made  it  somewhat 
difficult  to  arrange.  It  had  been  known  among  the  men  that  a 
service  was  to  be  given,  so  that,  during  the  delay,  expectation 
had  grown  ripe,  and  at  last,  when  it  was  finally  settled  for  the 
24th,  the  needed  arrangements  were  so  speedily  completed, that 
in  one  day  one  thousand  tickets  were  circulated,  and  bills  posted 
throughout  the  city  and  suburbs.  How  the  cabmen  responded 
to  this  invitation  the  appearance  of  the  hall  made  known. 

"  We  have  often  seen  the  City  Hall  full,  crowded,  crammed, 
but  never  before  did  we  see  it  so  densely  packed  —  every  inch 
of  the  platform  and  stair  occupied ;  for  after  ensuring  ad- 
mission to  the  cabmen,  all  others  were  free  to  enter.  There 
could  scarcely  be  fewer  than  five  thousand  people  within  the 
walls  —  women  in  mutches,  scores  of  factory  girls  with  bare 
heads,  men  in  fustian,  besides  the  trimly  dressed  cabmen,  and 
hundreds  of  the  well-to-do. 

"  This  was  a  great  day.  This  meeting  for  cabmen  had  been 
desired  with  a  great  desire.  But  all  the  anxieties,  the  prayers, 
and  preparations,  how  infinitestimal  were  they  compared  to  the 
royal  munificence  with  which  they  were  crowned,  heaped  up 
and  running  over.  To  Him  who  ruleth  the  small  things  as 
well  as  the  great,  be  all  the  praise  and  the  thanksgiving,  '  for 
He  hath  done  excellent  things.'" 

Upon  a  Sabbath  evening,  at  Cowcaddens,  a  dis- 
trict of  Glasgow,  the  people  so  thronged  to  the 
places  of  appointed  worship,  that  when  the  time 
arrived,  five  churches  were  filled  by  the  overflowing 
masses.  The  meeting  is  well  described  by  an  eye- 
witness : 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  169 

"  Dr.  Eadie  had  invited  Mr.  Hammond  to  conduct  the  evening 
services  in  his  church.  The  place  was  so  densely  filled  before 
the  hour  of  service,  that  it  vras  with  much  diflBculty  he  could 
reach  the  pulpit.  The  hall  below  was  immediately  filled,  but 
the  crowd  outside  seemed  in  no  way  diminished.  Milton  Free 
Church,  a  few  yards  ofij  was  opened,  and  very  soon  filled,  till 
the  people  were  swarming  round  the  doors.  Large  parties 
that  had  come  from  the  Crescents  and  the  Terraces  on  the 
Western  Road,  no  doubt  drawn  there  from  curiosity,  but  also 
moved  by  higher  motives,  sought  out  another  church  where 
they  might  worship  God.  Mr.  Perrot  very  courteously  put  his 
pulpit  at  the  disposal  of  Captain  Gillmore,  who  had  been  sent 
for  from  the  other  gatherings,  himself  giving  out  the  47th 
Paraphrase,  and  ofiering  up  prayer.  Mr.  Craig  came  in,  and, 
just  before  the  sermon,  told  forth  the  unvarnished  story  of  his 
conversion  from  infidelity.  Once  freed  from  the  trammels  of 
such  barren  notions,  he  looked  back  with  surprise  at  the  self- 
satisfaction  with  which  he  had  held  them.  But  ever  the  old 
story  ;  not  human  reasoning,  not  afiectionate  entreaty,  had  pre- 
vailed ;  but  a  glimpse  of  the  person  of  the  Saviour  of  souls  had 
convinced  him  that  he  was  endowed  with  a  soul,  and  was  some- 
thing more  than  a  mere  organism.  It  is  well  for  men  that  God 
ever  takes  the  conversion  of- a  soul  into  His  own  hands.  *  Not 
by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spii'il,  saith  the  Lord.' 

"  Captain  Gillmore  then  read  the  3d  chapter  of  John.  He 
said  nothing  of  the  mysteries  of  regeneration  which  that 
chapter  might  suggest  to  the  metaphysical  mind,  but  made 
very  plain  the  indispensable  need  of  a  change  of  heart  —  the 
true  regeneration ;  and  in  words  calm,  afiectionate,  copious, 
prayed  his  fellow-men  and  women  to  bethink  themselves  of 
Christ's  salvation,  and  their  own  great  need  of  that.  He  spoke 
as  an  educated,  thoughtful,  Christian  gentleman  so  well  can  do, 
who  has  drawn  his  religion  direct  from  the  Scriptures,  instead 
of  theological  tractates.    The  very  marrow  of  the  Gospel  fell 


170  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

from  him,    After  the  service  was  concluded,  we  returned,  hop- 
ing to  gain  an  entrance  to  Dr.  Eadie's  church. 

"  The  street  in  front  of  the  church  was  crowded ;  and  there, 
under  the  bright  moonlight,  hundreds  were  listening  to  a  Chris- 
tian layman  who  had  been  speaking  to  them  for  some  time. 
Within  that  limited  space,  bounded  on  either  side  by  the  Free 
and  Established  Normal  Schools,  there  were  five  different  as- 
semblies, all  willing  to  hear  the  truth,  and  seeking  to  worship 
the  living  God  simultaneously.  We  do  not  look  upon  this  as 
the  first  beginning  of  revival  in  the  Cowcaddens,  but  rather  as 
the  first  fruits  of  much  that  has  gone  before.  There  has  been 
work  and  prayer  in  the  Cowcaddens  for  this,  how  heartily  or 
inadequately  God  knows.  But  in  addition  to  the  agency 
already  on  the  ground,  a  band  of  visitors  from  the  College 
Church  began  there  in  winter  was  a  year  ;  and  foremost  among 
them  was  Professor  Douglas,  who,  besides  his  professional 
duties  and  other  claims  on  his  attention,  found  time  for  mis- 
sionary work  there.  And  for  three  months  this  winter  special 
prayer  has  been  made  for  a  revival  in  that  quarter  of  the  Cow- 
caddens. A  little  company  of  householders  —  a  cabman,  an 
ironfounder,  a  stonemason  and  his  wife,  and  another  young 
married  woman,  who  have  lately  begun  to  follow  Jesus  —  have 
all  been  laying  this  petition  before  the  Heavenly  Throne.  Long- 
ing eyes  were  gazing  upwards  for  some  signs  of  the  coming 
shower.  Mr.  Hammond  had  been  little  more  than  a  week  in 
Glasgow  when  he  gave  two  services  in  Milton  Free  Church,  and 
then  other  two ;  and  now  on  Sabbath  he  is  called  back  again  to 
the  very  same  quarter.  Would  it  be  presumptuous  to  claim, 
or  would  it  be  stupidity  to  ignore  this  as  Heaven's  acknowledg- 
ment of  prayers  uttered  and  prayers  embodied  in  action  ?  The 
Lord  deals  with  His  people  as  one  man  with  another.  He 
throws  down  the  challenge,  '  Prove  me  now  herewith,  if  I  will 
not  open  you  the  windows  of  heaven  and  pour  you  out  a  bless- 
ing, that  there  shall  be  room  enough  to  receive  it. '  Such  challenge 


OF    THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  171 

was  never  given  that  it  should  not  be  taken  up,  Mr.  Ham- 
mond has  fired  the  mine.  Christians  must  no-w  be  up  and  quit 
themselves  like  men,  and  in  this  thing  do  the  will  of  the  Lord. 
Prove  Him." 

The  letter  of  a  converted  man,  a  wealthy  mer- 
chant, "  often  seen  on  change,"  will  repay  perusal. 

"  I  scarcely  know  how  to  word  this  letter,  1  feel  bo  excited 
and  gratified  since  our  meeting  this  morning.  Oh  grant, 
heavenly  Father,  that  the  prayers  then  addressed  to  a  throne  of 
grace  for  me,  a  poor  perishing  sinner,  may  be  registered  in 
heaven.  As  I  already  told  you,  1  belonged  to  a  class  of  Chris- 
tians who  have  a  name  to  live  and  yet  are  dead.  Revival  meet- 
ings I  scouted,  called  them  quackery  —  excited  people,  and  that 
all  would  end  in  smoke.  I  went  upon  Friday  night  last  (and 
my  motives  were  more  curiosity  than  anything  else)  to  hear 
you  in  Hope  Street  Church  —  the  first  revival  meeting,  but  I 
hope  not  the  last  I  shall  attend.  I  closely  observed  all,  and 
went  home  determined  to  hear  more  of  Mr.  Hammond.  I,  as 
you  know,  was  at  Mr.  Arnot's  yesterday ;  and  when  I  heard  all 
the  voices  sing,  '  Come  to  Jesus,  come  to  Jesus."  I  felt  that  that 
was  easier  said  than  done,  and  so  it  is.  Yet  how  easy  to  those 
who  will  only  accept  Him  !  Oh,  that  wonderful  passage,  '  Be- 
hold, I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock ;  if  any  man  hear  my 
voice  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup 
with  him.'  You  know  what  God  showed  me  after  we  had  con- 
versed and  prayed.  I  had  expected  Jesus  to  open  the  door,  but 
I  have  now  found  out  that  I  must  do  it ;  yea  more,  I  must  bid 
Him  welcome — a  full  and  free  welcome — no  mere  show  of 
friendship ;  it  must  be  genuine.  Oh,  pray  that  1  may  be  kept 
from  falling  back  to  my  old  self-righteous  ways,  and  that  I  may 
experience  more  of  that  peace  which,  I  feel,  has  now  begun. 
And  Oh,  I  pray  that  God  will  touch  my  heart  with  love 
to  Him,  that  I  may  speak  in  love,  and  commend  in  love  that 
blessed  Jesus  who  loved  me  with  an   everlasting   love.     Oh, 


172  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

pray  for  me  that  I  may  be  able,  having  named  Christ,  to  depart 
from  all  iniquity,  that  I  may  walk  with  Christ  and  be  an  en- 
sample,  so  that  men  may  take  knowledare  of  me  that  1  have 
been  with  Jesus.  "  Pray  also  for  me  t^t,  when  I  speak  of 
Christ  to  others,  He  will  bless  my  eflTorts,  that  all  the  glory 
may  be  his.  Accept,  dearest  friend,  my  warmest  thanks  for  a 
debt  of  gratitude  I  can  never  repay,  whilst  I  remain,  always 
yours." 

TheWynd  Journal,  whose  editor  is  pastor  of  the 
Wynd  Church,  has  the  following  : 

"  One  thing  of  vast  importance  he  has  achieved  for  the  pres- 
ent and  the  future, in  opening  new  centres  of  power  in  the  city, 
and  securing  the  co-operation  of  men  in  the  ministry  and  out 
of  it,  who  come  to  the  work  with  fresh  resources.  With  such 
an  enlarged  basis  of  operations,  and  such  an  increasing  band 
of  enthusiastic  volunteers,  it  should  noi  oe  difficult,  by  God's 
blessing,  if  not  to  take  the  city,  at  least  to  take  its  strong 
places,  from  which  an  effective  evangelism  may  seize  on  the 
population  in  detail. 

"  The  inquiry  meeting  is  the  real  line  of  battle  in  this  cam- 
paign. Many,  no  doubt,  go  away  from  the  first  meeting  with 
their  consciences  awakened  or  their  heaz'ts  renewed,  who  either 
shrink  from  the  publicity  of  the  inquirv  meeting,  or  prefer  on 
other  grounds  to  enter  their  closet  and  shut  the  door  and  pray 
to  the  Father  who  seeth  in  secret  and  will  reward  them  openly. 
But  there  are  large  numbers  who  have  n^  place  for  retirement, 
who  have  no  counsellors  at  home,  who  are  too  deeply  distressed 
to  leave  the  place  where  they  have  been  wounded,  or  who  fear 
to  move  away  lest  they  should  lose  or  miss  the  blessing.  It  is 
a  scriptural  method  to  ask  on  the  spot  '  Men  and  brethren 
what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  But  if  this  is  our  real  line  of 
battle,  it  is  here  we  must  concentrate  our  forces  and  bring  up 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  173 

our  reserves.  It  is  here  we  need  wisdom  and  tact  and  readiness 
and  power.  Here  we  are  not  so  much  serving  batteries  of  ter- 
rific fire,  but  in  hand  to  hand  encounter,  ready  to  give  quarter 
and  to  heal  the  wounds  that  have  been  made.  Yet  in  meetings 
of  two  thousand  or  even  four  thousand  people,  (as  in  the  City 
Hall,)  when  more  than  the  half  may  wait  to  an  inquiry  meet- 
ing, it  is  absolutely  needful  to  preserve  order  and  to  keep  com- 
mand. There  should  be  no  difficulty  in  providing  beforehand  a 
sufficient  number  of  judicious  Christian  friends  for  the  largest 
inquiry  meeting  that  can  be  held,  so  that  the  dangers  arising 
from  indiscriminate  conversation,  and  possibly  from  very 
erroneous  teaching,  at  the  most  critical  and  most  impressible 
period  in  spiritual  life,  may  be  as  far  as  possible  prevented. 

"  So  long  as  inquiry  meetings  are  held  in  Churches,  there 
should  be  no  difficulty  in  providing  a  sufficient  superintendence 
and  an  adequate  supply  of  assistants,  both  male  and  female,  for 
private  conversation  and  prayer.  Every  Church  has  its  office- 
bearers who  ought  to  be  ready  to  undertake  this  work,  and  who 
have,  in  Sabbath  School  teachers,  and  in  the  Membership, 
surely  a  number  sufficient  for  this  purpose.  Elders,  or  other 
office-bearers  and  capable  persons  should  be  appointed  in  a 
large  meeting  to  keep  order  at  difierent  points,  and  to  see  that 
the  anxious  get  into  conference  with  believers  who  are  ready 
and  able  to  help.  If  there  are  not  enough  in  a  Church  ready, 
especially  in  the  beginning  of  such  work,  to  engage  in  this  de- 
partment, it  should  not  be  difficult  to  get  assistance  elsewhere. 
But  even  if  on  an  emergency  there  are  not  enough  of  known 
and  trustworthy  persons  present  for  the  number  of  the  anxious, 
let  these  be  gathered  together  and  addressed  together  —  a 
method  that  has  its  own  peculiar  advantages. 

"  At  the  meeting  on  Friday,  in  Hope  Street,  Mr.  Hammond 
read  the  following  letter  from  a  lady  : 

My  Bear  Mr.  Hammond,  —  I  cannot  allow  another  day  to 
pass  without  sending  you  a  few  lines,  to  thank  you  for  yc*ir 


174  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

earnestness  and  anxiety  in  trying  to  bring  me  to  Christ.  I  can 
now  say  with  David,  '  I  sought  the  Lord  and  He  heard  me,  and 
delivered  me  from  all  my  fears.'  It  is  more  than  three  weeks 
since  I  first  heard  you  in  College  Church.  I  have  ever  since 
that  felt  deeply  convicted,  and  at  times  despaired  of  ever  find- 
ing peace,  but  the  Lord  in  his  mercy  pointed  out  to  me  very 
simply  the  way  of  salvation.  I  well  remember  the  day  when 
you  first  besought  me  at  the  door  of  Finnieston  Church  to 
come  back,  and  you  would  speak  a  few  encouraging  words  to 
me,  but  I  refused  you  three  times.  I  was  anxious  to  hear 
without  being  seen,  and  thought  to  slip  quietly  out  when  you 
were  speaking  to  another.  I  have  been  at  most  of  your  even- 
ing meetings  since,  and  often  longed  to  be  able  to  say  with 
many  of  those  around  me,  I  had  found  Christ.  Tuesday  morn- 
ing last  I  felt  more  distressed  than  I  had  ever  done,  so  much  so 
that  I  began  quite  to  despair  of  ever  finding  peace.  I  thought 
there  is  no  hope  for  me,  and  had  almost  resolved  to  go  back 
to  the  world;  but  at  night  I  felt  quite  determined  to  give 
myself  to  Him,  and  prayed  as  I  never  had  prayed  before.  I 
went  to  my  bed  at  night,  resting  myself  on  my  Saviour,  feeling 
I  had  given  myself  to  Him,  never  doubting.  I  awoke  in  the 
morning  singing  these  sweet  lines  — 

•  Here 's  my  heart,  Lord,  take  and  seal  it. 
Seal  it  from  thy  courts  above.' 

I  said  to  my  husband,  *  I  am  so  happy,  I  feel  the  Lord  has 
pardoned  all  my  sins.'  The  burden  of  sin  I  had  so  long  felt 
was  quite  removed.  We  wept  together  for  joy,  and  I  can  now 
say,  '  Happy  day,  when  Jesus  washed  my  sins  away.'  May 
the  Lord  bless  your  unwearied  labors,  in  trying  to  bring  souls  to 
Christ.  I  shall  ever  remember  you  with  gratitude  as  having 
been  the  means,  through  the  grace  of  God,  of  saving  my  soul 
from  death.  Pray,  dear  Mr.  Hammond,  that  my  faith  may  be 
strengthened,  and  that  my  dear  children  may  be  all  lambs  of 
Christ's  flock.— 22c^  March.  1861. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  175 

**  On  Saturday  last,  the  meeting  in  Hope  Street  was  crowded 
as  usual.  Among  the  audience  were  many  of  that  class,  for 
whom  much  solicitude  has  been  expre8sed,in  well-meant  efforts  to 
amuse  them  on  Saturday  evenings,  in  concerts  and  other  dille- 
tanti  entertainments.  We  beg  to  submit  whether  the  agency 
of  the  prayer  meeting,  with  its  stirring  addresses,  and  devotion- 
al exercises,  is  more  calculated  to  elevate  the  masses,  or  the  low 
buffoonery  exhibited  by  the  very  men  whose  daily  and  nightly 
work,  in  saloons  and  elsewhere,  is  to  degrade  the  people,  and 
especially  the  youth  of  our  city  :  which  of  these  may  reasonably 
be  expected  to  prepare  the  better  for  the  hallowed  day  of  rest  ? 
We  may  easily  prepare  a  people  who  will  resemble  the  godless 
nations  of  the  Continent,  if  we  employ  similar  means  as  are 
used  by  their  parental  governments,  who  provide  them  shows, 
to  keep  them  from  thinking  of  truth  and  right ;  but  we  shall 
not,  by  these  means,  furnish  the  future  with  the  scenes  or  sub- 
jects of  another  <  Cottar's  Saturday  Night.'  " 

A  leading  paper  of  the  city  contains  a  very  point- 
ed and  clear  summary  of  the  classes  represented  in 
the  religious  interest,  and  the  phenomena  of  its 
progress.  After  speaking  of  the  persons,  scenes, 
and  Christian  fidelity  rewarded,  these  sharp  distinc- 
tions are  made : 

"  There  have  been  mockers  in  our  meetings.  A  few  of  these, 
it  is  to  be  hoped,  have  been  awakened,  and  with  agonized  souls 
led  to  Jesus,  and  obtained  the  sprinkling  of  His  blood  ;  while 
others,  it  is  to  be  feared,  have  had  '  their  bands  made  strong.' 
'  Now,  therefore,  be  ye  not  mockers,  lest  your  bands  be  made 
strong:  for  I  have  heard  from  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts  a  consump- 
tion, even  determined  upon  the  whole  earth.' — Isaiah  xsMiii.  22. 

"  Others,  again,  under  the  shaking  of  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  {Hebrews  xii.  26,)  have,  as  it  were,  turned  in  their  graves j 
and  become  again  as  still  as  a  stone  ;  the  Lord,  to  all  appear- 


176  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

ance,  having  poured  out  upon  them  the  spirit  of  deep  sleep  aad 
closed  their  eyes.  — Isaiah  xxix.  10  The  day  of  redemption  is 
also  the  day  of  vengeance.  —  Isaiah  Ixiii.  14 ;  Hosea  iv.  17. 

"  Some  mistaking  a  sound  theological  formula  for  the  livinff 
Christ  J  and  complacently  wrapping  themselves  therein,  have 
not  been  afraid  to  call  the  movement  the  work  of  the  Devil.  I 
fear  these  words  of  the  Lord  are  applicable  to  such  :  —  '  For 
judgment  I  am  come  into  this  world,  '  that  they  which  see 
might  be  made  blind  '  —  John  ix.  39  ;  and  of  the  prophet 
Jeremiah  —  *  For  he  shall  be  like  the  heath  in  the  desert,  and 
shall  not  see  when  good  cometh.'  —  Jeremiah  xvii.  6. 

"  There  are  others,  again,  so  deeply  wedded  to  order,  Church 
organization,  the  routine  of  officialism,  they  cannot  easily  be- 
lieve the  waters  of  life  astir  beyond  the  margin  of  their  bound- 
aries. Surely  it  would  be  well  for  such  to  remember  these 
words  of  the  prophet :  *  For  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the 
earth,  so  are  my  ways  higher  than  your  ways,  and  my  thoughts 
than  your  thoughts.'  —  Isaiah  Iv.  9. 

"  There  are  others,  again,  who,  apparently  from  an  almost 
incurable  tendency  to  make  idols  of  those  whom  God  has  honor- 
ed, are  doing  what  they  can  to  provoke  the  Lord  to  jealousy  — 
to  bring  '  leanness '  both  upon  themselves  and  others. 

"  Now,  is  it  wrong  to  say  these  things  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 
Does  not  something  of  the  '  fearful  delicacy  '  I  have  referred  to 
lie  here  ? 

"  But  there  is  a  bright  side,  for  the  evidence  flows  in  from 
many  sources  that  a  true  and  deep  work  of  grace  is  going  on 
over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  city. 

"  Now  there  are  two  facts  that  are  patent  to  observing  Chris- 
tians. The  one  is  the  simultaneous  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  on 
many  lands ;  the  other,  the  remarkable  variety  in  the  agencies 
He  is  employing.  In  the  first  fact  we  are  presented  with  a 
phenomenon  of  a  truly  Divine  sublimity ;  and  it  at  the  same 
time  enlarges  our  apprehensions  of  the  glory  of  Jesus  Christ 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  177 

who  had  on  His  hands  at  this  moment  for  intercession,  millions 
of  sinners  awakened  by  the  Spirit  and  brought  to  Him, — anoth- 
er fact  this,  overwhelming  to  our  finite  conceptions,  though 
keeping  out  of  view  the  inconceivable  grandeur  of  His  universal 
reign. 

"  What  inroads  appear  to  be  made  on  officialism  and  routine ! 
What  new  forces  called  into  play  beyond  the  domain  of  an  ec- 
clesiastical organization  !  ^lay  it  not  be  there  has  been  a  too 
deeply-seated  idea  among  many  that  all  blessings  would  and 
must  come  through  the  consecrated  channels  of  Church  order 
and  authority  ?  Why,  it  would  appear  that  there  are  phases 
of  the  ministration  of  the  Spirit  not  '  dreamt  of  in  your  philo- 
sophy.' 

"As  to  the  evangelists  themselves,  one  of  the  striking  fea- 
tures among  the  more  prominent  of  them  is  the  absence  of  the 
official  in  their  bearing,  and  the  saliency  of  the  human — a  cer- 
tain unmistakeable  something,  which  inspires  confidence  and 
wins  the  heart,  which  says,  '  We  are  one  with  you,  our  whole 
heart  is  yours,' — the  marked  and  beautiful  combination  of  faith, 
love,  and  humility — a  spirit  stooping  to  everything,that,  if  by 
such  means,  souls  may  be  won  to  Christ.  There  is  little  won- 
der these  men  are  blessed,  and  secure  a  large  place  in  the  hearts 
of  the  humble  children  of  God. 

'*  To  be  an  ordained  minister  of  the  Gospel  is  the  highest 
honor  that  can  be  put  on  man ;  and  who  shall  estimate  the 
value  of  a  faithful  and  loving  ministry  ?  It  is  incalculable.  But 
wherever  the  felt  dignity  of  the  office  encroaches  upon  or  sup- 
plants the  sense  of  its  responsibility,  or  blights  the  tender  love 
or  humility  that  ought  to  characterize  the  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, there  a  great  evil  has  been  done,  and  an  element  is  in 
operation  inimical  to  a  season  of  revival. 

"  I  am  very  reluctant  to  say  anything  that  might  give  of- 
fence, but  I  have  a  fear  that  the  pride  of  office,  of  position,  of 
a  thorough  clerical  training,  may  be  one  reason  why  God,  in  so 


178  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

many  places,  is  choosing  the  '  weak  things,  the  despised  things,' 
&c.,  &c.,  to  effect  the  mightiest  results.  If  it  be  so,  then  to 
lay  aside  everything  unfriendly  to  the  sweet  brotherliness  of 
spirit,  that  so  widespread  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  is  designed  as 
it  is  fitted  to  foster  and  maintain,  seems  a  very  imperative  duty 
on  all  who  take  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  revival ;  and  I 
know  not  a  better  place  for  the  cultivation  of  such  a  spirit,  than 
in  those  union  prayer  meetings,  where  ministers  and  others  can 
come  and  go  with  such  perfect  freedom.  These  meetings,  to 
my  mind,  are  a  practical  exemplification  of  the  cxxxiii.  Psalm, 
and  tend  to  keep  among  us  the  Spirit  of  God." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A  Tour  on  the  Continent  —  Letters  from  Geneva  and  Milan  —  Letter 
from  an  Officer  of  the  man-of-war  Exmouth,  concerning  religious 
interest  on  board — Presentation  Meeting  in  Glasgow — Meetings  at 
Miffat — London — Liverpool— Voyage  in  the  Great  Eastern — Con- 
versions among  the  soldiers. 

Mr.  Hammond,  worn  down  with  his  labors,  left 
them  the  fore  part  of  April,  1861,  for  a  tour  on  the 
Continent.  We  introduce  a  pleasing  interlude  to 
the  directly  revival  narrative  letters,  from  him,  pub- 
lished in  Glasgow  papers,  from  an  officer  on  board 
a  man-of-war,  and  others : 

"  St.  Jean  de  Maurienne,  Savoy,  France, 
April  16,  1861. 
"  Mr  DEAR        ■■,     I  am  now  to  start  for  the  top  of  Mount 
Cenie,  and  thence  drive  to  Turin,  6,700  feet  above  the  sea,  be- 
fore night.     I  send  you  a  copy  of  leaf  from  my  Journal,  but  I 
I  have  not  time  to  read  it  over  : 

"  Geneva,  Sabbath,  close  of  afternoon. 
"  Here  for  hours  I  have  lingered  upon  the  top  of  the  Hotel 
de  la  Metropole.  I  trust  it  has  not  been  a  Sabbath  spent  in 
vain.  The  good  people  in  Scotland  will  perhaps  say,  why  not 
away  to  church  ?  I  shall  be  at  church  this  evening,  but  there 
was  no  English  service  this  afternoon.  I  have  been  reading  the 
148th  Psalm.  From  this  elevation,  and  with  such  scenes  spread 
out  before  me,  it  is  now  inspired  with  a  new  richness  of  mean- 


180  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

ing.  lean  but  comply  with  the  command,*  Praise  ye  the  Lord 
from  the  heavens  ;  praise  him  in  the  heights '  —  Ps.  cxlviii.  1. 
Surely  David  must  have  gazed  with  delight  upon  Mount  Leba- 
non. Would  that  he  had  seen  Mount  Blanc  upon  such  a  day 
as  this,  and  watched  it  as  I  have  done  through  its  ever-changing 
hues,  now  towering  above  the  clouds,  and  now  casting  aside  the 
misty  veil,  discovering  to  our  wondering  eyes  its  lofty  grandeur 
In  front  of  me,  covered  with  hundreds  of  boats,  lies  the  charm- 
ing lake  of  Geneva,  its  clear  pellucid  waters  without  a  ruffle, 
asleep  in  the  arms  of  the  grand  old  mountains.  What  an  em- 
blem of  the  Christian  at  '  peace,'  with  the  everlasting  arms 
of  his  God  about  him !  Clothed  in  white,  like  a  guardian  angel, 
upon  the  left  stands  Mount  Jura.  Nothing  is  wanting  to  com- 
plete the  beauty  and  glory  of  the  landscape.  Such  a  quiet,  de- 
lightful Sabbath  it  has  not  been  my  lot  to  spend  on  earth. 

"  All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  0  Lord,  and  thy  saints 
shall  bless  thee.  They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 
and  talk  of  thy  power."  —  Ps.  cxlv.  10,  11. 

But  the  hum  of  voices  below  recalls  my  enraptured  thoughts, 
and  I  look  down  upon  the  hundreds  of  people  in  groups  walking 
to  and  fro.  No  Mount  Blanc  with  its  variegated  hues  of  crim- 
son and  purple  for  them ;  no  expansive  pes^f^eful  lake  gladdens 
their  grovelling  souls ;  no  holy,  sacred  day  of  rest  for  them. 
Some  are  on  their  way  to  the  theatre,  while  others  are  killing 
time  as  they  best  can.  How  few  of  them  have  had  their  thoughts 
led  from  nature  up  to  nature's  God!  And  though,  doubtless, 
some  of  them  are  possessed  of  minds  capable  of  enjoying  the 
beautiful  and  sublime,  yet  how  few  of  them  have  a  title  to  the 
*  mansions  in  the  skies,'  and  can  exclaim  as  I  have  done  many 
times  to-day  — 

^    *  I  love  by  faith  to  take  a  view 
Of  brighter  scenes  in  heaven; 
The  prospect  doth  my  strength  renew, 
While  here  by  tempests  driven.* 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  181 

I  sec  on  many  of  the  houses  balconies  for  promenading,  and  I  have 
wondered  there  are  not  more  people  upon  them,  to  admire  the 
matchless  grandeur  and  beauty  of  the  work  of  the  Great  Archi- 
tect of  the  Universe ;  but  is  it  not  a  great  wonder  that  we  bo 
seldom  look  away  with  the  eye  of  faith  to  the  heights  of  Beulah 
and  the  Delectal)Ie  Mountains  ? 

"  To  spend  one  day  with  thee  on  earth, 
Exceeds  a  thousand  days  of  mirth." 

Truly  this  has  been  a  day  spent  with  God.  <  How  marvellous 
are  thy  works  !  '  •  Thou  art  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in 
praises,  doing  wonders.'  " 

"  The  following  letter  from  Mr.  E.  P.  Hammond," 
says  the  Glasgow  Scottish  Guardian,  "addressed  to  a 
friend,  was  received  the  other  day,  and  as  it  is 
known  that  a  lively  interest  in  his  movements  is 
felt  by  many  in  Glasgow  and  elsewhere,  it  has  been 
thought  that  the  publication  of  it  would  afford  grati- 
fication to  his  friends : 

'  Milan,  Lombardy,  April  18, 
and  Genoa,  April  22,  1861. 
*  My  Dear ,  You  see  I  am  now  in  northern  Italy,  al- 
most underneath  the  Alps.  We  left  St.  Jean  de  MaurienLc 
last  Tuesday,  by  the  diligence,  for  Turin,  via  Mont  Cenis.  The 
day  was  all  that  could  be  desired  for  Alpine  scenery.  Such  a 
sky  looked  down  upon  us  as  is  seldom  seen  in  Scotland.  My 
seat  was  behind  the  driver  over  the  coupe,  therefore  the  highest 
and  best  of  all  on  the  diligence  ;  my  companions  English  and 
American  ;  our  party  composed  of  all  nations  nearly —  French, 
German,  Norwegian,  &c.,  &c.  Our  ascent,  till  we  reached 
Lans  le  Bourg,  was  gradual,  the  scenery  constantly  changing  ; 
the  mountains  threatening  to  impede  our  further  progress  ;  but 


182  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

as  our  fresh  relay  of  horses  plunged  boldly  on,  they  seemed  to 
retire  and  allow  us  to  pass.  Thus  winding  among  them,  on 
we  went.  One  village  after  another  was  passed.  All  the 
Savoyards  came  rushing  out  of  their  cottages  as  crack,  crack, 
went  the  whip,  not  needed,  however,  to  indicate  our  approach. 
One  sou,  thrown  upon  the  ground  to  the  children  holding  out 
their  hands  for  money,  was  sufficient  to  make  a  large  file  of 
them,  four  thick.  After  a  good  dinner  at  Lans  le  Bourg,  we 
began  the  ascent  of  Mont  Cenis.  Eight  pairs  of  strong  mules 
were  attached  in  front  of  the  horses.  And  now,  up,  up  we  go 
over  one  snowy  peak ;  and  yet  another  and  another  rises  in 
view  of  Alps  in  front,  Alps  to  the  left,  Alps  to  the  right,  Alps 
closing  in  behind.  The  sun  is  now  bidding  us  adieu  for  the 
night,  tinging  with  his  parting  light  the  peaks  with  gold  and 
crimson.  How  mysterious  and  varied  thy  power,  0  King  of 
Day,  in  this  Italian  sky !  Be  it  cold  snow,  or  hard  rock,  all 
beams  with  splendor  at  thy  magic  touch !  Who  can  help 
thinking,  at  a  time  like  this,  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and 
of  the  joy  that  pervades  human  hearts  when  illuminated  by 
His  genial  life-giving  beams  ?  No  sooner  had  the  sun  taken 
his  departure,  than  the  pale  moon  appeared  to  cheer  us  on  our 
way.  We  then  had  an  American  sleigh  ride,  with  jingling 
bells  at  the  horses'  necks.  The  passengers  and  baggage  were 
divided;  the  horses  and  mules,  no  longer  in  pairs,  but  tandem, 
wearily  draw  us  up,  and  we  seem  going  up,  among  the  stars,  for 
some  of  these  appear  as  if  resting  upon  the  gigantic  shoulders 
of  the  mountains.  Miles  below,  in  the  dim  moonlight,  are  the 
fading  lamps  of  the  villagers.  At  first  the  snow  was  soft,  and 
80  loose  that  it  had  to  be  dug  through  to  prevent  the  horses 
plunging ;  and  so,  after  this  pioneer  work,  we  found  ourselves 
as  if  passing  through  a  street  with  marble  walls,  and  had  it  not 
been  so  cold,  we  might  have  believed  ourselves  in  Geneva.  But 
soon  we  emerge  from  our  high-walled  streets,  and  are  slipping 
along  on  the  tops  of  our  so-called  marble  houses.      Is  it  possi- 


or  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  183 

ble  that  all  this  change  has  taken  place  in  one  day  ?  At  St  Jean 
de  Maurienne,  a  few  hours  ago,  the  sun  was  intolerable  —  the 
apple  and  peach  trees  in  full  blossom  ;  but  now  all  our  Scotch 
plaids  are  not  sufficient  to  keep  oflf  the  bitter  frost.  But  have 
I  not  in  Scotland  felt  a  change  as  perceptible  as  this,  in  passing 
from  one  congregation,  where  hearts  were  glowing  with  love, 
basking  in  the  rays  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  eagerly  drink- 
ing in  the  simplest  gospel  truth  —  to  another,  where  the  at- 
mosphere was  chilling,  freezing  like  hoar  frost,  the  very  breath 
indicating  that  few  warm  sympathizing  hearts  were  present  to 
pour  ardent  prayers  to  God  for  a  blessing  upon  themselves  or 
upon  God's  servants?  Ah  !  how  different  the  effect  upon  the 
preacher  in  such  a  case  !  While  thus  musing,  we  were  gliding 
swiftly  along  over  the  smooth  snow.  In  the  distance  we  see 
lights  and  hear  bells.  What  is  to  be  done  ?  Another  party  is 
coming  from  Turin,  and  how  are  we  to  pass  them?  Far  off 
from  that  beaten  track  the  snow  is  soft,  and  the  horses  know 
it,  and  are  loath  to  leave  the  path  ;  when  compelled  to  do  so 
one  of  the  horses  goes  floundering  deep  down,  and  it  takes  all 
the  rest  to  drag  him  out.  No  wonder,  for  he  was  wallowing  in 
the  soft  snow  bank  forty  feet  deep,  and  all  his  own  efforts 
would  only  have  plunged  him  the  deeper.  I  thought  of  the 
poor  sinner  who  has  wandered  from  the  '  narrow  way,'  plung- 
ed in  hopeless  despair;  and  without  the  strong  arm  of  Jesus  to 
rescue  him,  he  must  perish. 

*  It  was  one  of  those  days  and  nights  in  which  one  seems  to 
live  a  lifetime.  All  the  way  upon  the  sledges  I  sat  alone  with 
the  driver ;  the  rest  of  the  party  were  keeping  warm  inside. 
The  distance  seemed  about  eight  miles.  The  cold  was  piercing  ; 
the  poor  beasts  shrank,  and  at  times  seemed  inclimd  to  turn 
back.  A  noble  mastiffof  the  St.  Bernard  breed  kept  close  along- 
side, ready  to  lend  us  timely  assistance.  But  no  avalanche 
came  thundering  down  upon  us,  as  one  had  done  a  few  days  be* 
fore,  suddenly  destroying  six  travellers 


184  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

'  The  sight  of  the  telegraphic  wires  led  us  to  realize  that  we 
were  still  breathing  the  air  of  earth  ;  for  even  over  those 
everlasting  hills,  England,  Scotland,  and  Italy  were  interchang 
ing  thoughts.  These  wires  are  now  speaking  of  wars  and 
rumors  of  wars,  yet,  also,  is  their  work  one  of  peace.  They 
have  made  many  hearts  in  Britain  and  America  to  rejoice,with 
the  news  of  the  success  of  the  down-trodden  Italians  struggling 
for  freedom  and  liberty  of  conscience.  They  have  told  of  God's 
Word,  no  longer  chained  in  the  cell  of  the  monk,  but  freely  cir- 
culated among  the  people ;  and  the  day  is  not  far  distant,  when 
they  will  herald  the  glad  tidings  of  the  unshackled  preaching 
of  the  gospel  to  the  millions  who  are  now  ignorant  of  its 
precious  truths. 

'  After  passing  over  a  considerable  extent  of  table  land,  the 
moon  all  the  while  smiling  upon  us,  and  the  stars  glowing 
above  the  unbroken  snow,  began  the  descent.  At  first  it  was 
fearful  indeed.  The  mules  and  the  horses,  all  but  two,  were 
discharged.  Down  such  a  declivity,  I  suppose,  we  should  go 
carefully,  to  say  the  least ;  but  the  method  seems  to  be  to  take 
it  at  a  bound  ;  besides,  we  were  late,  and  the  driver  seemed  to 
have  more  of  the  '  go-ahead '  in  him  than  even  we  Americans 
ever  think  of  possessing.  He  placed  no  restraint  upon  the 
furious  horses.  We  had  left  the  moon  on  the  other  side  of  the 
mountains  ;  and,  to  add  to  our  gloom,  the  bright  lamps  attach- 
ed to  our  sledge  were  suddenly  extinguished  by  the  fiercely 
raging  winds.  More  than  once  I  seized  the  reins,  but  it  was  to 
little  purpose  ;  it  only  occasioned  a  fresh  crack  of  the  whip 
from  the  driver ;  and  I  almost  wished  I  was  oblivious  to  passing 
events,  like  some  of  the  loud  sleepers  inside.  At  every  turn  we 
seemed  to  plunge  into  the  yawning  chasm  below.  Huge  clouds 
were  now  hurrying  across  the  mountain  sides,  as  if  in  mourn- 
ing for  us.  No  joyful  songs  now  enlivened  our  party.  Sunny 
Italy  lay  spread  out  before  us,  but  no  sun  to  reveal  it  to  us. 
At  last  we  stopped  at  a  dwelling  house,  and  I  resolved,  if  possi- 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  185 

ble,  to  spend  :he  rest  of  the  night  there,  and  walk  down  in  the 
morning.  Bat  it  was  a  part  of  but  one  room,  and  in  it  there 
were  at  least  thirty  mountaineers,  who,  overtaken  by  night, 
had  thus  far  toiled  up  the  mountain,  and  were  sitting  about  in 
that  miserable  room,  some  playing  at  cards,  some  smoking,  and 
the  rest  snoring.  We  soon  reached  the  diligence,  and  were 
glad  of  a  warm  seat,  and  a  warm  climate,  too.  But  the  sun 
had  been  hot  the  day  before,  and  the  wheels  sank  down,  and 
there,  to  my  joy,  we  were  forced  to  wait  till  mules  were 
brought  to  our  assistance.  Meanwhile  the  earth  rolled  on  its 
axis,  and  the  sun  began  to  streak  the  east  with  its  light ;  the 
hills  behind  were  changing  their  hues  ;  the  dark  drapery  of 
the  mountains  was  flung  aside,  and  these  lofty  Alps  now  seemed 
rejoicing  to  meet  the  sun,  and  with  the  heavens  were  declaring 
the  glory  of  God,  and  showing  forth  His  handy  work.  An 
Alpine  village,  far  down  below  us,  was  sending  up  its  morning 
smoke,  telling  of  labor  begun.  Clouds,  like  sheets  of  snow, 
hung  below  us. 

'  We  were  entering  Turin  an  hour  or  two  after  sunrise.  But 
those  grand  old  mountains  had  far  more  attraction  for  me  than 
that  city,  though  within  its  walls  were  Victor  Emmanuel  and 
Garibaldi.  I  could  not  keep  my  eyes  away  from  them  ;  I  was 
constantly  looking  back  to  have  one  more  last  gaze.  For  a  mo- 
ment I  wondered  if  there  would  be  any  sights  in  heaven  more 
grand  and  beautiful.  But,  oh  !  I  remember  that  it  is  written, 
'  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them 
that  love  Him:' 

'  I  fear  I  have  wearied  you  with  this  long  letter.  I  must 
therefore  reserve  my  impressions  of  Turin,  Milan,  and  Genoa 
till  another  time.  I  have  some  balls  and  some  relics  to  show 
you,  taken  from  the  battle-field  of  Magenta,  near  Milan.  A 
yrung  student  from  Como  was  with  me,  and  took  great  delight 
in  pointing;  out  the  position  of  the  French,  Austrian,  and 


186  THE   HARVEST  WORK. 

Italian  troops  —  the  traces  of  the  battle  —  the  houses  marked 
with  musket  and  cannon  shot ;  and  with  much  feeling  he  point- 
ed to  the  cross  raised  to  commemorate  the  burying  place  of  the 
thousands  who  fell  in  battle.  On  reaching  Genoa,  I  found  my- 
self much  exhausted,  and  unable  to  proceed  on  my  journey.  I 
began  to  fear  that  my  last  work  was  done  in  Glasgow.  But 
the  Lord  has  been  good  to  me.  The  Rev.  D.  Kay,  a  missionary 
of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  who  has  been  like  a  brother  to  me, 
took  me  to  his  own  house,  so  that  I  am  now  quite  myself 
again,  and  am  to  leave  Genoa  for  Leghorn  to-night  (Monday, 
April  22,)  by  boat,  and  to-morrow  shall  be  on  my  way  to 
Rome. 

'  With  much  love  to  ,  and  my  many  dear  friends  in 

Glasgow, 

I  am,  your  affectionate  brother  in  Jesus, 

E.  P.  Hammond.'  " 

At  the  Daily  Union  Prayer  Meeting  in  Elgin 
Place  Chapel,  the  following  letter,  addressed  to  the 
meeting  by  Mr.  Hammond,  was  read : 

«  Rev.  Dr.  Stewart's, 
Leghorn,  Italy,  23d  April,  1861. 

**  My  dear  Brothers  and  Sisters  in  Jesus,  —  My  promise  to 
write  you  is  not  forgotten ;  not  a  day  has  passed  without  my 
thinking  often,  often,  of  that  dearly  loved  daily  prayer  meeting. 
The  happy  hours  passed  there  I  can  never  forget.  It  was  there 
that  I  often  found  my  strength  revived  for  the  evening.  (Isaiah 
xl.  31.) 

"  For  many  years  in  America  I  was  in  the  habit  of  attending 
a  daily  noon  prayer  meeting,  and  it  seems  like  losing  my  dinner, 
to  be  deprived  of  the  privilege  now. 

"  "What  a  contrast  was  presented  to  my  mind,  when  last 
Thursday    I  entered  the  great  and  wonderful   Cathedral  of 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  187 

Milan,  with  its  three  thousand  marble  statues,  between  the 
scene  before  me  and  that  daily  witnessed  in  your  union  prayer 
meeting.  There  were  dozens  of  priests  in  long  robes,  chanting 
and  speaking  in  an  unknown  tongue ;  were  they  not  in  a  place 
bearing  some  resemblance  to  a  Christian  Church,  we  might  have 
thought  them  acting  some  solemn  part  in  a  theatrical  perform- 
ance. And  who  were  the  auditors  of  this  grand  performance? 
About  twenty  unhappy  looking  creatures,  most  of  them  beg- 
gars ;  more  priests  and  monks  and  friars  than  all  the  rest. 
Disgusted  with  all  this  delusive  mummery,  I  fled  away  to  the 
top  of  this  marble  cathedral.  From  that  dizzy  height  I  looked 
away  across  the  snow-covered  Alps,  and  shining  Mount  Rosa, 
and  thought  of  you,  a  band  of  real  worshippers  of  the  meek 
and  lowly  Jesus,  with  here  and  there,  mingling  among  your 
number,  heavy  laden  souls,  not  listening  to  some  avaricious 
priest,  as  he  says,  '  Come  to  the  Confessional,''  but  to  the  gen- 
tle voice  of  Jesus,  the  Great  High  Priest,  who  hath  appeared 
to  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself,  saying,  '  Come  un- 
to me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  1  will  give  you 
rest.' 

'*  Artistically,  the  cathedral  is,  perhaps,  the  finest  in  the 
world.  No  one,possessed  with  a  love  of  the  grand  and  beauti- 
ful, could  help  admiring  this  wonderful  structure,  with  its 
forests  of  spires,  adorned  with  six  thousand  six  hundred  and 
sixteen  marble  statues,  and  basso  relievos,  each  of  them  sup- 
porting a  colossal  statue  of  some  of  the  apostles  or  saints. 

"  Images  of  Jesus  everywhere !  but  in  whose  heart  was 
there  the  form  of  Jesus  enthroned  as  the  hope  of  glory  ? 
Semi-heathen  temples  on  every  hand !  but  among  all  their  wor- 
shippers, who  of  them  possessed  souls  '  fit  temples  '  for  the  in- 
dwelling of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Ah  !  how  I  longed  to  rush  into 
the  thronged  streets  and  tell  them  of  Jesus,  of  salvation  through 
Him  alone,  and  of  temples  not  made  with  hands !  But  had  I 
done  this  I  should  have  been  dragged  away  to  prison,  or  to  some 


188  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

pestilential  region,  where  an  infectious  malaria  wouid  hare  put 
an  end  to  my  existence. 

"  ButjSince  the  union  of  the  Italian  States,  the  Bible  has 
been  freely  circulated,  and  the  pure  Gospel  is  preached  under 
certain  restrictions. 

"  At  Genoa  I  found  rest  needful ;  the  heat  was  intense,  and 
my  head  seemed  much  affected.  The  Rev.  D.  Kay,  a  missionary 
from  Scotland,  was  like  a  brother  to  me,  and  in  three  days  I 
was  so  well  as  to  be  able  to  speak  for  him  twice  on  the  follow- 
ing Sabbath.  At  the  close  of  the  evening  service  we  had  an  in- 
quiry meeting,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  some  that  day 
were  awakened,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God  led  to  Christ.  We 
went  down  into  the  harbor  the  night  before,  and  induced  some 
to  come,  who  were  intending  to  spend  the  Sabbath  in  visit- 
ing the  celebrated  Pallavicini  Gardens. 

"  At  Leghorn  I  have  just  spent  one  day  and  night  with  Dr. 
Stewart.  Most  of  you  are  already  familiar  with  his  successful 
and  untiring  labors." 

"  Port  of  Civita  Vecchia, 
45  Miles  from  Rome,  April  24th. 

"  While  writing  the  above,  Mrs.  Stewart  came  and  took  me 
away  to  the  weekly  female  prayer  meeting.  The  '  little  flock  ' 
in  Leghorn  are  longing  for  a  revival,  and  wished  to  know  all 
about  the  work  of  the  Lord  in  Glasgow  and  Scotland.  About 
ten  meet  weekly  to  pray  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
They  request  your  prayers  on  their  behalf.  We  had  an  inquiry 
meeting.  Two  remained  for  conversation,  while  the  rest  in  an 
adjoining  room  were  engaged  in  prayer .  I  told  them  all  that  they 
must  meet  daily,  and  not  only  pray,  but  work  and  speak  iu« 
dividually  to  the  perishing  thousands  around  them  ;  and  some 
of  them  with  tears  promised  to  do  so.  It  was  a  most  precious 
little  meeting.  I  found  myself  quite  moved  by  it,  and,  I  trust, 
received  a  fresh  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  consecrating  myself  anew 
to  the  glorious  work  of  winning  souls  to  Christ, 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  189 

"  After  visiting  Pisa,  with  its  leaning  tower  of  the  twelfth 
century,  its  marble  Cathedral  supported  by  innumerable  fan- 
tastic marljle  pillars,  the  Baptistry,  and  Campo  Santo,  we  re- 
turned to  Leghorn,  and  visited  an  American  man-of-war,  the 
Susequehanna.  Dr.  Stewart  had  preached  on  board, the  Sabbath 
before,  and  found  the  Lieutenant  a  most  devoted  man.  It  was 
delightful  and  touching,  as  we  spoke  of  the  sympathizing  love 
of  Jesus,  to  sec  his  whole  emotional  nature,  as  the  tears  filled 
his  eyes  and  his  hand  instinctively  pressed  my  own.  He  took 
us  down  to  the  place  of  their  prayer  meeting.  '  I  could  not 
live  without  this  prayer  meeting,'  said  he.  'It  is  here  that 
Jesus  stands  in  our  midst,  and  says,  as  to  his  disciples  of 
old,  '  Peace  be  unto  you.'  " 

At  the  Ewing  Place  Daily  Prayer  Meeting,  on 
Tuesday,  letters  were  read  from  Mr.  Hammond. 
At  St,  James's  Hall,  London,  Mr.  Hammond  had 
addressed  from  1500  to  2000  people ;  a  good  num- 
ber of  inquirers  remained.  He  was  to  speak  in 
Crown  Chapel  the  following  evening.  He  adds,  — 
"  Nearly  3000  soldiers  go  in  the  '  Great  Eastern,' 
on  Monday,  from  Liverpool.  What  an  opportunity 
for  speaking  for  Jesus.     Pray  for  us." 

"H.  M.  S.   'ExMOUTH,'  Naples,  28th  May,  1861. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Hammond,  —  This  very  day  last  month  I  bade 
you  farewell  on  board  the  French  Steamer ;  and  though  we  have 
not  the  pleasure  of  your  bodily  presence  among  us,  yet  we  trust 
that  the  same  Spirit,  which  rested  so  abundantly  upon  you,  has 
been  communicated  to,  and  is  now  abiding  in,  many  a  grateful 
sailor's  heart  on  board.  Ever  since  you  left,  we  have  kept  up 
the  n'ghtly  prayer  meetings  and  addresses,  and  propose  to  con- 
tinue to  do  so,  in  God's  strength,  as  long  as  we  can.     I  could 


190  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

fill  sheets  of  details  in  telling  you  the  simple  story  of  those  who 
have  found  peace  with  Jesus.  Some  of  these  were  the  worst 
characters  on  board  the  ship,  and  now  their  lives  are  living 
witnesses  of  the  great  change  which  the  Spirit  of  God  has  pro- 
duced on  their  lives  and  conversation. 

*'  One  man,  a  Sepoy  sailor,  was  so  bad  and  wicked, that  he  had 
been  turned  out  of  one  sailor's  mess  after  another,  and  none 
would  at  last  receive  him,  so  that  he  lived  in  the  black-list  mess 
constantly.  He  swore  dreadfully,  and  was  too  bad  for  sailors  to 
associate  with.  That  man  now  has  come  down  every  night; 
his  life  changed ;  given  up  swearing  ;  amended  his  ways  ;  and 
the  wonder  of  everybody  who  knew  him.  He  attendiS  the  even- 
ing school  regularly,  that  he  may  learn  to  read  his  Bible ;  then 
comes  in  to  us  ;  and  if  you  only  saw  how  he  looks  at  the  Bible, 
and  turns  over  the  leaves  as  if  he  would  devour  the  contents, 
(though  he  can't  read) ,  yet  it  would  melt  the  hardest  heart. 
Another  young  fellow,  one  of  our  servants,  was  turned  away  for 
being  a  drunkard.  He  now  tells  me,  that  he  made  a  collection 
of  the  very  worst  oaths  he  could  hear,  and  entered  them  in  a 
book,  so  that  he  might  never  forget  them,  but  make  use  of  them 
as  he  might  see  fit.  That  young  man  has  now  become  changed  ; 
leads  a  new  life  ;  and  engages  in  prayer  with  others  on  Sunday 
afternoons.  An  African  sailor,  born  in  Antigua,  though  he  has 
a  black  skin, has  now  a  white  heart,  cleansed  by  the  blood  of  Je- 
sus; and  the  simple  and  beautiful,  nay,  eloquent  prayer  I  and 
others  heard  him  ofier  up  to  God,  the  Father  of  the  black  as 
well  as  the  white  Christian,  refreshed  my  soul  as  well  as  the 
souls  of  others.  One  man,  a  Cornish  man,  is  very  sincere  in  his 
pleadings,  but  his  ignorance  of  our  langagae  is  a  great  draw- 
back to  his  expressing  the  desires  of  his  heart. 

"  On  Sunday  afternoons  we  meet  with  those  who  are  desirous 
of  engaging  in  prayer.  Some  come  down  who  desire  to  pray, 
but  when  the  time  comes  they  can 't  express  the  longings  of 
their  hearts  before  others; but, I  have  no  doubt, they  will  derive 
encouragement  from  bearing  their  follow  sailors  praying,  and 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  191 

will  receive  the  Spirit  of  prayer  from  on  high.  They  all  pray 
in  private,  but  are  nervous  before  others. 

"  Lieut. ,  and  I,  felt  that  we  had  need  of  their  prayers,  and 

it  was  our  duty  to  encourage  them,  and  give  them  an  opportu- 
nity of  praying  with  those  who  felt  the  necessity  of  cultivating 
the  spirit  of  prayer.  We  addressed  them  once  or  twice  od 
prayer,  and  then  intimated  that  we  would  set  apart  means  of 
re-establishing  their  bodily  health,* and  fitting  you  for  going 
among  my  countrymen  and  others  to  proclaim  '  the  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy,^  and  win  souls  unto  Christ.  Our  hearts  are 
lifted  up  in  thankfulness  to  our  heavenly  Father,  who,  in  his 
providence,sent  you  for  a  few  days  amongst  us, to  arouse  sinners 
from  the  torpor  of  death,  to  sing  the  songs  of  Zion  and  rejoice  in 
God  their  Saviour.  I  feel  that  my  own  soul  has  been  much  re- 
freshed by  your  presence  among  us,  and  fresh,  vigor  has  been  in- 
fused. The  great  wall  of  formalism  has  been  broken  down,  and 
I  have  been  enabled  to  go  and  talk  to  sailors  in  a  way  which  1 
have  never  done  before.    The  same  has  taken  place  with  Lieut. 

,  who  is  one  with  me  in  everything  which  we  do  for  the 

salvation  of  souls. 

"  At  one  time  I  proposed  writing  you  sooner ;  but  afterwards 
thought  it  better  to  defer  it,until  we  saw  whether  the  impres- 
sions made  on  the  hearts  were  of  a  transitory  character  or  not. 
I  have  to  apologize  for  not  writing  the  letter  you  proposed,  to 
the  scholars  attending  some  of  the  Sunday  schools  in  Glasgow ; 
but  when  I  thought  over  the  matter,  I  felt  that  I  could  not 
make  it  so  interesting  as  you  could,  and  have  given  up  the 
suggestion,  leaving  it  for  you  to  tell  them  about  the  sacrifices 
offered  up  in  the  temble  of  Serapis,  as  well  as  the  sacrifices 
which  are  now  offered  up  on  board  the  Exmouth,  by  those  who, 
at  times  gone  by,  sacrificed  to  other  gods.  You  can  tell  them 
how  God  directed  you  to  Naples,  and  the  means  by  which  He 
Bent  you  on  board  the  Exmouth  to  rouse  sinful  sailors  from  the 
Bleep  of  death,  who,  until  your  arrival,  had  been  sacrificing  unto 


192  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

other  gods,  and  living  sinful  lives,  and  doing  very  v^icked  works. 
How  you  now  hear,  that  some  of  those  wicked  sailors  are  blessing 
the  God  who  sent  you  here,  that  His  Holy  Spirit  might  be  pour- 
ed out  upon  them,  changing  their  hearts,  and  leading  them  unto 
the  Lamb  of  God.  You  can  tell  them  that  we  have  a  sailor  among 
us  who  comes  from  Paisley.  This  man,  in  his  young  days,  had 
been  taught  to  sing  praises  unto  God,  just  as  they  are  taught ; 
and  now  he  comes  down  every  evening  with  his  tune  book,  and 
pitches  the  tunes,  and  has  become  our  precentor.  After  a  hard 
day's  work  he  delights  to  tune  his  heart  to  God — that  God  to 
whom  we  all  sing  praises,  and  who  gives  us  singing  hearts  as 
well  as  praying  hearts.  His  mess-mates  may  laugh  at  him  but 
he  does  not  care,for  God  has  brought  him  among  us  to  assist  us 
in  praising  God,  in  singing  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spiritual 
songs  —  making  melody  in  our  hearts  unto  God..  You  may  tell 
them  how  those  on  board,  who  have  given  their  hearts  unto  Jesus 
(but  can  't  read) ,  are  now  learning  to  read,  and  attending  an 
evening  school  after  their  day's  work,  that  they  may  be  able  to 
read  God's  word  for  themselves — those  epistles  and  gospels 
which  were  written  for  them,as  well  as  for  everybody  who  would 
receive  them.  You  can  tell  them,  how  hard  work  it  is  for  a 
grown-up  person  to  learn  to  read,  and  how  much  easier  it  is 
for  a  boy  and  a  girl ;  and  how  their  hearts  are  more  disposed  to 
receive  the  things  of  Jesus,  because  they  are  not  so  wicked  as  a 
grown-up  person,  and  have  not  committed  so  many  or  so  great 
sins.  That  Jesus  loves  little  children,  and  invites  all,  but 
especially  them  while  they  are  young,  to  come  unto  Him,  that  they 
might  be  happy  on  earth,  and  be  happy  when  they  come  to  die; 
for  after  death  they  will  see  Jesus  and  dwell  for  ever  with  Him 
in  heaven. 

Your  ever  affectionate  brother  in  Jesus." 

The  following  letter  was  handed  in  by  a  friend  of 
the  writer,  and  shows  one  blessed  result  of  obeying 
the  command  to  "  sow  beside  all  waters :  "  — 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  193 

'*  My  Dear  Sister,  —  I  wish  to  tell  jou  of  a  man  who  came 
on  board  this  ^ip  a  few  days  ago.  He  preached  to  us,  and 
I  never  heard  a  man  so  earnest  in  prayer.  He  has  touched  the 
hearts  of  many  on  board.  My  flesh  trembled,  and  every  nerve 
shrank,  so  that  the  people  took  notice  of  me.  It  was  nothing 
but  the  Spirit  of  God  that  was  pouring  into  my  soul.  I  cannot 
tell  you  how  I  felt,  but  ever  since  I  felt  happy.  The  good  man 
who  had  spoken  to  us  was  going  away  that  evening,  but  some 
of  us  prayed  him  to  stay  a  day  or  two  with  us,  and  he  remained 
for  two  days.  He  is  a  true  Christian.  He  came  from  America 
to  Glasgow,  during  the  time  of  the  Revival  there,  and  preached 
in  many  churches  in  that  city.  He  came  to  this  place  to  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  one.  He  has  again  left  for  Glasgow,  from 
which  place  he  proceeds  once  more  to  America.  His  name  is 
Mr.  Hammond.  Dear  Sister,  there  are  two  of  our  officers  who 
have  had  a  prayer  meeting  on  board  every  night,  for  many  long 
months,  but  there  have  been  few  who  have  encouraged  them  by 
attending.  They  prayed  to  God  that  he  would  turn  the  hearts 
of  those  on  board,  and  the  Lord,  you  see,  has  now  answered 
their  prayer ;  for  it  was  the  Lord  who  sent  that  good  man 
amongst  us,  who  has  given  many  of  us  to  see  the  dangerous  way 
in  which  we  are  going.  Ever  since  he  came  here  the  meeting- 
room  is  filled.  And  Oh,  dear  sister  there  is  a  great  change  in 
me.  For  many  long  years  I  have  been  travelling  on  that  *  broad 
road  '  which  leadeth  to  everlasting  misery.  But  now  I  see  that 
I  have  been  going  very  far  wrong.  I  have  got  my  eyes  opened. 
I  have  found  out  Him  who  is  a  way  from  the  broad  to  the  nar- 
row road,  and  in  Him  I  have  found  peace  —  a  peace  I  would  not 
want  for  all  the  world.     Let  the  world  say  what  it  may,  I  will 

nerve  the  Lord. 

Your  loving  brother." 

Naples,  12th  May,  1861. 

A  writer,  who  has  been  often  mentioned  in  these 
|>ages,  alludes  to  the  effect  of  the  absence  of  the 
principal  agent: 


194  THE   HAKVEST   WORK 

"  It  was  thought  in  some  quarters, that  with  the  departure  of 
Mr.  Hammond  there  would  be  a  lull  in  the  revival; but,  so  far 
from  that  being  the  case,  it  has  assumed  a  more  determined  as- 
pect. As  might  be  supposed,  the  eftervesence  which  agitated 
tlie  surface  of  society  with  the  first  appearance  of  an  interesting 
stranger,  has  at  last  subsided,  and  now  we  see  to  what  high- 
tide  mark  the  religious  life  in  the  community  has  risen. 

"  Since  his  return  from  Italy,  he  has  been  with  us  rather 
more  tlian  a  fortnight ;  part  of  that  time  has  been  given  to 
making  excursions  to  Ayrshire,  Stranraer,  and  Helensburgh,  for 
evangelistic  purposes.  Throughout  the  last  week  of  his  stay  in 
Glasgow,  he  daily  conducted  the  Union  mid-day  prayer  meeting, 
and  in  the  several  evenings  gave  a  special  service  successively 
in  Wellpark,  St.  Mark's,  Anderston,  and  Hope  Street  Free 
Churches.  To  the  praise  of  Him  who  is  the  Faithful  Witness 
and  the  Amen,  the  labors  of  this  servant  have  been  acknowledg- 
ed to  the  very  last ;  the  Lord  making  His  glory  to  appear  in  the 
conversion  of  souls  by  the  Word  preached." 

Before  leaving  for  America,  a  soiree  presentation 
meeting,  presided  over  by  Robert  M'Cowan,  Esq, 
was  held  in  the  City  Hall,  containing  4000  people, 
which  was  packed ;  and  it  was  believed  three  times 
that  number  would  have  been  present,  had  there 
been  room.  We  give,  as  a  very  fair  and  suggestive 
specimen  of  the  tone  of  the  speeches,  an  extract  from 
the  editorial  review  of  the  meeting  by  Dr.  J.  Smith, 
LL.D.,  Editor  of  the  Glasgow  Examiner. 

'*  The  demonstration  was  significant  as  well  as  triumphant. 
We  see  in  it  a  stranger  from  America,  two  years  ago  unknown 
to  fame,  winning  the  highest  honors  that  even  Glasgow  can  con- 
fer. Mr.  Hammond  came  among  us  a  stranger.  Some  of  our 
most  eminent  clergymen  welcomed  him  to  their  pulpits.     His 


OF   TItE    HOLY   SPIRIT.  195 

addresses  excited  a  very  wide  interest.  Hundreds  professed  to 
have  been  led  to  attend  to  their  spiritual  interests  by  his  dis- 
courses, and  crowded  audiences  were  always  present  to  listen  to 
him.  As  he  labored  incessantly  for  weeks  without  fee  or  re- 
ward, and  in  the  face  of  not  a  few  rebuflfe  from  a  portion  of  the 
public  and  the  press,  many  thought  that  something  was  due  to 
his  disinterested  labors  in  a  public  way,  and  hence  the  proceed- 
ing of  Thursday  evening.  We  have  never  been  among  Mr. 
Hammond's  unqualified  admirers,  and  have  not  hesitated  to 
state  what  we  reckoned  objectionable  in  his  manner  and  matter  ; 
but  we  are  not  less  prepared  on  that  account  to  magnify  the 
grace  of  God  in  him,  and  to  acknowledge  the  extraordinary  in- 
terest he  has  awakened,  and  the  great  amount  of  good  he  has 
achieved.  After  the  eulogies  he  received  on  Thursday,  from 
several  of  our  best  known  clergymen  and  laymen,  any  testimony 
we  might  be  inclined  to  give  in  his  favor  might  well  be  reckon- 
ed superfluous.  But  we  cannot  but  notice  the  generosity  of 
the  speakers,  and  the  profound  enthusiasm  of  the  audience  at 
Thursday's  meeting.  One  who  has  not  yet  attained  the  rank 
of  a  licensed  preacher,  who  is  only  attending  to  his  preliminary 
studies,  has  awoke  such  echoes  in  his  praise  in  the  City  Hall  as 
were  never  awoke  before." 

Referring  to  his  curiculum,  Dr.  Smith  adds  : 

♦*  We  mention  this  because  not  a  few  revivalists  have  been 
popular  though  they  had  none  of  the  advantages  of  previous 
education,  or  any  training  for  public  work.  We  mean  no  dis- 
respect to  them  when  we  say,  that  the  man  who  has  all  their 
qualifications  for  usefulness  and  a  proper  training  besides,  oc- 
cupies a  much  more  advantageous  position,  and  is  likely  to  sus- 
tain his  popularity  better  among  certain  classes  of  society.  Edu- 
cated persons  among  his  audience  do  not  require  to  be  told,  that 
the  speaker  is  one  whose  mind  has  been  thoroughly  trained,  and 
who  is  versant  with  ancient  and  modem  literature.  None  but 
0  person  of  classic  taste  and  training  could  have  given  the  same 


196  tHE  HARVEST  VtOUK 

interest  to  the  narrative  of  his  recent  travels  in  the  classic  land 
of  Italy.  We  surely  do  not  need  to  argue  that,  other  requisites 
being  equal,  the  man  trained  to  think  and  speak  must  have  a 
vast  superiority  over  others,  however  earnest  and  zealous  such 
may  be.  The  rapid  sketch  given  by  the  Chairman  as  to  the 
career  of  Mr.  Hammond,  as  a  revivalist,  was  very  satisfactory, 
and  the  Chairman  had  the  advantage  of  speaking,  not  only  from 
undoubted  authority,  but  from  a  personal  and  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  him.  As  a  people,  the  Scotch  are  proverbially  cautious 
in  receiving  strangers  ;  but  in  this  case  they  have  such  testi- 
mony, both  public  and  personal,  that  they  can  have  no  hesita- 
tion, and  have  shown  none,  in  welcoming  him  as  a  true  man,  and 
devoted  servant  of  the  one  Master  in  heaven.  Anything  more 
satisfactory  and  decided  than  the  speech  of  Mr.  M' Cowan  in 
favor  of  Mr.  Hammond,  it  is  impossible  to  conceive.  The  speech 
of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Alexander  was  very  cordial  and  suggestive. 
He  welcomed  Mr.  Hammond  because  he  had  developed  the 
lay  agency  to  a  larger  extent  than  ever —  he  had  especially  en- 
listed students  in  the  work  of  evangelism  —  he  had  originated 
children  prayer  meetings,  —  and  especially  he  had  taught  many 
to  sing  hymns  who  never  sung  them  before.  In  defence  of  the 
revival  movement,  he  brought  in  a  very  happy  illustration  from 
spring.  An  ill-natured  person  might  crush  the  crocuses  and 
snow-drops,  and  dam  up  the  streams,  and  declare  that  there  was 
no  spring.  But  the  mighty  movement  was  being  felt  through- 
out the  vegetable  world,  and  would  by  and  by  burst  into  beau- 
ty, despite  the  allegations  of  ill-conditioned  persons.  And  so 
in  this  movement.  Men  may  deny  it,  but  they  cannot  keep 
back  the  resistless  influence  at  work  in  the  natural  or  spiritual 
world." 

From  Glasgow  Mr.  Hammond  went  to  Moffat, 
and  thence  to  London.  At  the  former  place  a  meet- 
ing was  appointed,  especially  with  reference  to  his 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  197 

passing  the  Sabbath  there,  on  his  way  to  the  Me- 
tropolis. Such  was  the  crowd  at  this  watering 
place,  that  the  throngs  went  from  the  church  door 
to  the  open  air ;  and  the  divine  influence,  which  had 
rested  so  largely  upon  Scotland,  was  manifestly 
present  among  the  people. 

Among  the  meetings  in  London,  a  large  one  was 
held  in  St.  James's  Hall,  respecting  which,  Dr. 
Campbell,  of  the  British    Standard,  writes : 

"  Mr.  Hammond  has  just  been  in  London,  where  we  have  en- 
joyed the  pleasure  of  several  interviews  with  him,  He  went  off 
yesterday,  to  Liverpool,  whence  he  proceeds  in  the  Great 
Eastern,  which  is  chartered  by  Government  to  carry  out  2,200 
troops,  besides  a  body  of  Cavalry,  to  Canada.  Amid  such  a 
crowd,  a  voyage  of  the  old  stamp,  extending  to  seven  or  eight 
weeks,  would  have  afforded  some  scope  for  hopeful  labor  ;  but 
nothing  can  be  done  in  the  brief  period  of  nine  or  ten  days. 

"  We  may  observe  that  he  preached  in  St.  James's  Hall,  last 
Sunday  evening.  Although  his  design  was  not  announced  till 
Friday,  so  well  had  the  thing  been  managed  that  there  was  a 
large  congregation.  Having  opened  the  service  in  the  ordinary 
manner,  the  Rev.  J.  Alexander,  of  Glasgow,  made  an  admirable 
address,  replete  with  the  purest  evangelism.  Mr.  Hammond 
then  discoursed  for  nearly  an  hour,  in  a  strain  peculiar,  re- 
markable, and  exceedingly  fitted  to  be  useful.  Nothing  could 
have  been  more  void  of  glare,  claptrap,  and  meretricious  display. 
Nothing  could  be  more  unpretending  and  unambitious.  It  waa 
throughout  stamped  by  *  godly  simplicity.'  The  grand  object 
was  clearly  the  salvation  of  men  and  the  glory  of  God." 

In  Liverpool,  also,  meetings  were  held,  a  notice  of 
which  we  take  from  the  Liverpool  Mercury ; 


198  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  The  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammondj  whose  labors  have  been  so 
signally  successful  in  different  parts  of  Scotland,  has  been  hold- 
ing a  series  of  special  services  in  Liverpool,  previous  to  his  de- 
parture for  America  in  the  Great  Eastern.  The  first  service  was 
held  on  the  23d  instant,  in  Canning  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  which  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Welsh  is  the  pastor.  The  next  meet- 
ing was  held  on  Sunday  evening,  in  the  Rev.  Dr.  White's 
Church,  Islington.  Both  services  were  numerously  attended, 
and  in  the  evening  an  earnest  and  affectionate  address  was  de- 
livered by  Mr.  A.  F.  Thistlethwayte,  of  London,  who  has  been 
laboring  in  connection  with  Mr.  Hammond.  After  the  address- 
es, about  300  persons  remained  for  conversation  concerning 
religious  subjects.  The  next  service  was  held  in  Dr.  Raffles's 
Church,  Great  George  Street.  The  Rev.  J.  R.  Welsh,  who  in- 
troduced Mr.  Hammond,  having  alluded  to  the  objections  often 
urged  against  revival  services,  observed  that  he  did  not  believe 
that  error  would  be  owned  of  God ;  and  showed  that  the  labors 
of  such  men  as  Messrs.  Brownlow,  North  and  Hammond,  had 
resulted  in  the  conversion  of  numerous  souls.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
W^hite  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  glorious  results  of  the 
revival  under  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  in  Annan,  Dumfries,  and 
other  places.  Mr.  Hammond  then  delivered  an  earnest  address, 
calculated  to  arouse  careless  souls  to  a  sense  of  their  spiritual 
condition,  at  the  close  of  which  a  number  of  anxious  ones  re- 
mained, with  the  object  of  seeking  spiritual  advice.  On  Tues- 
day evening,  at  seven  o'clock,  an  out-door  service  was  held  in 
front  of  the  chapel,  and  addresses  were  delivered  by  Mr.  J.  W. 
Bonham,  of  America,  and  Mr.  Thistlethwayte,  of  London. 
During  the  meeting,a  man  came  near  the  speakers  and  begged 
one  of  the  hymns,  stating  that  he  had  resolved  to  destroy  him- 
eelf,  but  was  just  then  arrested  by  the  sound  of  the  preaching. 
At  the  service  in  the  chapel,  a  very  brief  address  was  delivered 
by  Mr.  Bonham,  who  was  followed  by  a  young  man  from  Scot- 
land, who  gave  an  interesting  account  of  his  conversion.    Mr- 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  199 

Hammond  then  delivered  a  very  earnest  and  affectionate  ad- 
drees,  which  w^as  listened  to  w^ith  very  great  attention,  and  pro- 
duced a  practical  effect  on  the  minds  of  those  present,  a  number 
of  whom  remained  at  the  inquiry  meeting.  Some  were  deeply 
anxious.  Last  night  a  further  meeting  was  held  in  Great  George 
Street  Chapel,  when  Mr.  Hammond  delivered  an  address,  and 
two  young  converts  related  their  experience.  Previous  to  the 
inquiry  meeting  which  followed,  the  Rev.  Dr.  White  urged  up- 
on those  present  the  necessity  of  immediate  decision  for  Christ. 
A  large  number  remained  for  inquiry,  many  of  whom  went 
away  rejoicing  in  the  Saviour." 

The  homeward  voyage,  in  its  secular  and  religious 
interest,  can  be  given  in  no  better  form  than  by  a 
letter  from  his  pen,  addressed  to  the  Daily  Prayer 
Meeting  in  Glasgow,  and  printed  in  a  Glasgow 
paper : 

"  Great  Eastern,  July  2d,  1861. 

"  My  dear ,  Here  I  am,away  off  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land, amid  fogs  and  icebergs,  and  yet  my  thoughts  revert  to  you 
and  the  dear  people  on  Scotia's  shores.  I  have  had  a  letter 
thought  out  for  you  ever  since  we  left  Liverpool,  but  it  is  not 
BO  easy  on  board  ship  to  get  these  thoughts  put  down  on  paper. 
(Sea-sickness  has  not  been  the  excuse,  for  I  have  not  seen  one  on 
Doard  thus  afflicted.  But  I  have  been  hard  at  work  day  and 
night  distributing  thousands  of  tracts  and  about  twelve  hun- 
dred Bibles,  and  holding  meetings. 

"  I  cannot  but  think  that  the  many  prayers  offered  for  a 
blessing  to  attend  us  on  our  voyage  have  been  answered.  "We 
have  had  large  and  deeply  solemn  meetings  every  day  since 
Sabbath  (30th.)  We  could  not  see  our  way  to  commence  these 
meetings  till  then.  We  had  first  to  secure  the  consent  and  co- 
operation of  the  chaplain  on  board,  and  also  of  the  captain  of 


200  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

the  ship,  and  of  the  two  Colonels  of  the  30th  and  60th  Regi» 
ments.  All  this  was  accomplished  by  one  of  the  officers  of  tho 
30th,  a  decided  Christian,  to  whom  Captain  Blackwood,  whose 
letter  was  read  in  your  daily  prayer  meeting,  introduced  me. 
This  dear  officer  has  been  most  active.  He  and  a  few  others 
have  met  every  day  in  my  room  for  prayer.  Some  days  we 
have  had  two  and  three  meetings.  There  is  no  place  where  the 
voice  can  reach  all  at  once.  Sometimes  the  wind  is  so  strong 
that  I  find  it  impossible  to  speak  long ;  my  voice  soon  gives 
way. 

"  Last  night  we  had  the  first  regular  inquiry  meeting.  I 
gave  it  no  name,  but,  after  addressing  them,  just  went  down 
among  them  at  once ;  nearly  all  remained,  and  many  were  the 
anxious  questions  asked.  Would  that  I  could  have  had  a  hun- 
dred working  Christians  to  have  gone  among  the  soldiers,  to 
take  them  by  the  hand,  and  kindly  point  them  to  Jesus.  I 
thought  of  those  who  used  to  be  so  active  in  the  union  prayer 
meeting,  often  remaining  till  five  and  six  o'clock  to  bind  up  the 
broken-hearted.  A  number  of  Romanists  were  among  the 
awakened.  About  half  of  the  30th,  I  am  told,  are  of  that 
persuasion.  I  suppose  I  have  given  away  at  least  five  thousand 
tracts  and  books,  which  are  perused  for  hours  at  a  time  by  the 
soldiers.  Only  one  man  refused  to  take  a  tract  or  book.  Some 
of  the  officers  are  in  an  anxious  state  of  mind,  and  have  been  in 
my  room  on  their  knees,  seeking  for  peace  in  Jesus. 

"  It  has  strengthened  me  to  remember,  that  the  dear  friends 
in  the  daily  union  prayer  meeting  have  been  remembering  us  at 
a  throne  of  grace.  We  have  often  been  in  danger,  but  not  in 
despair.  Yesterday  morning  we  were  near  a  collision  with  the 
steamship  Arabia.  There  was  a  dense  fog,  and  we  were  near 
ruxming  into  several  icebergs.  We  saw  four  or  five  immense 
ones  at  the  same  time.  One  of  them  was  much  like  Edinburgh 
Castle.  Many  were  in  great  alarm  the  night  before  last,  by  the 
sudden  stoppage  of  the  engines,  and  the  sight  of  the  huge  ice- 


OF  THE    HOLT  SPIRIT.  20 J. 

berg  right  ahead.  Several  did  not  retire  to  rest  all  night.  Most 
of  these  •  monsters  of  the  northern  deep  '  were  prowling  about, 
in  near  the  same  place  where  we  encountered  one  two  years  ago 
(June  6th),  180  miles  oft' St.  John's,  Newfoundland.  That 
terrible  scene  has  often  come  up  before  my  mind  during  the 
past  few  days.  In  thinking  over  the  wonderful  dealings  of  God, 
and  His  goodness  to  me,  I  am  often  led  to  exclaim,  '  What  hath 
God  wrought !  '  How  little  did  I  know  what  was  before  me, 
when  on  1st  June,  1859, 1  set  sail  from  New  York,  to  be  absent 
for  only  a  few  months.  I  trust  I  have  been  led  to  renew  my 
vows  of  consecration  to  the  service  of  Jesus. 

"  While  writing  the  above,  a  Roman  Catholic  came  to  ask 
me  for  a  Bible.  His  very  looks  indicated  that  he  was  anxious 
about  his  soul.  His  lip  quivered  as  he  said,  '  I  have  had  no 
peace  since  I  heard  your  address  on  Sabbath  last.  I  am  a  great 
sinner.  What  shall  I  do  ?  1  have  been  worshipping  images 
too  long  —  all  the  time  neglecting  Jesus.  Pray  for  me.'  We 
knelt  and  prayed.  It  would  have  melted  a  hard  heart  to 
hear  him  asking  for  mercy.  I  am  confident  he  has  found 
Jesus,  and  will  at  the  last  be  found  in  Him." 

"  Friday,  July  5th. 
"  It  is  a  glorious  morning.  We  have  just  entered  the  Gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence.  We  shall  soon  be  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  It  would  have  done  your  heart  good  to  have  seen  our 
meeting  last  night.  It  was  something  like  one  of  our  old  meet- 
ings in  Hope  Street  Free  Gaelic  Church.  It  seems  that  nearly 
all  the  three  thousand  were  listening.  The  power  of  God's 
Spirit  was  felt,  and  the  inquiry  meeting  that  followed  showed 
that  many  were  awakened.  It  was  truly  touching  to  see  some 
of  these  strong  soldiers  wounded  by  the  '  sword  of  the  Spirit.* 
I  thoi^ght  of  the  words,  '  Thine  arrows  are  sharp  in  the  heart 
of  the  King's  enemies,  whereby  the  people  fall  under  thee.' 
Though  half  of  the  30th  regiment  are  Roman  Catholics,  all 
came  to  the  meetings  and  read  the  tracts.     If  one  could  get  a 


202  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

congregation  composed  entirely  of  Romanists  I  am  inclined  to 
think  that,  with  earnest  —  burning — heartfelt  words,  relying 
on  the  Spirit  of  God,  he  might  confidently  expect  as  great  a 
harvest  as  from  an  ordinary  Protestant  audience.  But  should 
he  begin  to  discuss  some  of  their  peculiar  doctrines  he  would 
lose  power  over  them  at  once.  But  let  him  come  to  them  as 
an  ambassador  from  heaven  —  telling  them  in  plain  words  of 
their  enmity  and  of  their  danger  in  fighting  against  God,  and 
proclaiming  reconciliation  through  Christ  Jesus,  and  his  words 
will  not  fall  to  the  ground.  Christ  and  Him  crucified  is  the 
preaching  that  must  find  its  way  to  the  heart. 

**  I  fear  I  have  wearied  you  with  this  long  letter.  I  shall 
write  you  again  when  I  reach  home.  Not  a  day  passes  but  I 
think  of  the  daily  union  prayer  meeting  in  Ewing  Place  Cha- 
pel. Please  remember  me  to  them.  Tell  them  the  Lord  has 
answered  their  prayers,  —  that  souls  on  board  the  Great 
Eastern  have  been  saved.  This  very  moment  a  strong  man  has 
left  my  state-room,  seemingly  having  just  given  himself  to 
Jesus.  He  had  been  anxious  for  some  one  to  speak  to  him  for 
a  month.  One  young  man  has  been  awakened  since  he  heard 
dear  Mr.  Radclifie,  in  Ireland.  So  tell  them  to  pray  on.  Pray 
without  ceasing.     Your  affectionate  brother  in  Jesus." 

The  New  York  Observer  reports  of  Fulton  Street 
prayer  meeting  : 

"A  gentleman  said  he  had  in  his  hand  a  letter  from  a 
passenger  on  the  Great  Eastern.  It  was  from  one  whose  voice 
he  had  often  heard  in  this  prayer  meeting.  On  the  passage 
over  they  had  prayer  meetings  every  night,  and  many  had  been 
converted.  Some  of  the  converts  were  British  soldiers  on  their 
way,  under  Government  orders,  to  Canada.  This  gentleman, 
whose  labors  had  been  so  much  blessed,  had  been  very  useful  to 
many  souls  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland.  Wherever  he 
had  been  multitudes  had  been  brought  to  Christ. 


OF  THE  HOLY  STIRIT.  203 

"Another  gentleman  arose  and  said  that  he  had  been  a  witness 
of  the  success  of  the  labors  of  this  man  who  had  been  mentioned 
for  four  months  in  Scotland.  Whenever  it  was  known  that  he 
was  to  be  present  and  speak  at  a  meeting,  hundreds  would  come 
to  hear.  He  had  heard  him  in  Glasgow,  Edinburgh,  and  other 
cities  and  towns.  It  was  wonderful  how  the  Lord  owned  and 
Olessed  his  humble,  unpretending  labors.  Go  where  he  may 
and  labor  as  he  will,  souls  are  converted.  So  it  has  been  on  the 
Great  Eastern.  The  leader  reminded  the  meeting  that  often  it 
dad  been  a  subject  of  prayer,  that  revivals  might  go  with  the 
royages  of  this  great  ship." 

To  complete  the  glimpse  of  the  great  awakenings 
during  the  last  few  years  in  Britain,  we  append  a 
general  view  of  the  Irish  revivals,  by  James  Massie, 
D.  D.,  LL.D.,  Secretary  of  the  Irish  Evangelical 
Society;  and,also,  by  the  Rev.  J.  Dunham  Smith, 
of  Kingstown,  Dublin : 

OKIGIN    OF    THE    AWAKENING. 

"  The  religious  movement,  which  in  the  northern  part  of  Ire- 
land has  awakened  such  general  attention,  has  now  become  a 
fact  in  the  history  of  the  times  as  well  as  of  the  country.  Its 
origin,  at  first  obscure  and  for  a  time  doubtful  to  many,  can 
now  be  traced  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  principles  and 
character  of  the  Christian  dispensation.  The  gradual  develop- 
ment and  extension  of  the  mental  and  spiritual  phenomena,  by 
which  the  work  has  been  distinguished,  have  secured  the 
thoughtful  attention  of  many  devout  Christians,  and  demand 
yet  more  prayerful  consideration.  Whatever  may  have  been 
the  proportion  and  relation  of  human  agency  in  its  progress, 
the  most  honored  instruments  in  its  administration  will  grate* 
fully  acknowledge  a  power  unseen  and  a  presence  all-pervac? 


204  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

ing,  which  are  doabtlees  infinite  and  divine.    *  Where  is  the 
wise?   where    is    the  Scribe?  where  is  the  disputer  of  this 
world  ?    Hath  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom  of  this  world  ? ' 
'But  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  con- 
found the  wise ;  and  God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the 
world  to  confound  the  things  which  are  mighty ; '  *  that  no  flesh 
should  glory  in  his  presence.'    Most  suitable  is  the  acknowledg- 
ment of  one, to  whom  great  favor  has  been  shown  as  a  euccesB- 
ful  laborer  in  the  Revival.     '  I  believe  that,  like  the  mighty 
stream,  it  has  arisen  from  a  number  of  springs  concealed,  it 
may  be,  in  the  bosom  of  the  mountains  of  Antrim,  where  for  a 
season  they  continued  to  gush  forth,  seen  only  by  a  few,  until 
now  they  have  met  in  the  valleys,  and  are  pouring  their  floods 
on  the  churches,  sweeping  sin  and  cold-hearted  formalism  before 
them.'    How  many  have  laved  on  the  banks,  or  sailed  on  the 
bosom,  of  a  flowing  river,  admiring  its  swelling  tide  and  pic- 
turesque effect,  and  deriving  all  the  advantages  conveyed  by  its 
ceaseless  current,  who  have  never  inquired  in  what  locality  it 
took  its  rise,  or  in  whose  demesne  its  chief  spring  first  gushed 
forth!   'There  is  a  river,  the  streams  whereof  shall  make  glad 
the  city  of  God,  the  holy  place  of  the  tabernacles  of  the  Most 
High. '  Yet  it  was  not  inconsistent  with  the  state  of  a  devout 
mind,  or  a  sanctified  vision,  to  trace  '  the  waters  'which'  issued 
out  from  under  the  threshold  of  the  house  eastward, 'to  follow 
the  way,  when  brought  to' the  gate  northward, 'to  behold  the 
waters  which  ran  out  on' the  right  side' '  at  the  south  side  of  the 
,  altar.'     It  was,  doubtless,  with  wonder  and  gratified  thanks- 
giving the  prophet  accompanied  the  man,  whose  line  '  measured 
a  thousand  cubits,' once  and  again,  till  he  was  brought' through 
the  waters,'  *  to  the  ancles,' '  to  the  knees,' '  to  the  loins;'  and  till  it 
proved' a  river 'he 'could  not  pass  over'  —  the  blessing  was 
abundant,  *  for  the  waters  were  risen  —  waters  to  swim  in,  a 
river  that  could  not  be  passed  over.'     The  enlightened,  the 
believing,  and  praying  Christian  will  w^tch  and  long  for  the 


OP  TfiE  HOLT   SPIRIT.  205 

plentiful  effusion  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  until  '  it  shall  come  to 
pass,  that  everything  that  liveth,  which  moveth,  vehithereoever 
the  rivers  shall  come,  shall  live.' 

"  Every  student  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  knows  well  that 
many  great  and  exceeding  precious  promises  have,  been  given, 
that  God,  in  the  Gospel  of  His  Son,  would  work, 'not  by  might, 
nor  by  power,  but  by  His  Spirit ; '  and  that  His  Spirit  shall  be 
so  abundantly  poured  out  from  on  high,  that  the  wilderness 
and  the  solitary  place  should  be  made  glad  for  his  influences. 
*  And  it  shall  be  in  that  day,  that  living  waters  shall  go  out 
from  Jerusalem;  half  of  them  toward  the  former  sea,  and  half 
of  them  toward  the  hinder  sea  ;  in  summer  and  in  winter 
shall  it  be.'  The  conviction  has  been  deepening  in  the  mind 
of  the  church,  not  only  that  this  rich  blessing  has  not  yet  been 
enjoyed,  in  the  fulness  of  its  promise,  but,also,that  the  promise 
has  only  failed,  because  it  has  not  been  duly  pleaded,  or  ex- 
pected in  faith  —  that  for  all  these  things,  prayer  should  be 
made  to  him  continually  ;  since,  *  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  I 
will  yet  for  this  be  inquired  of  by  the  house  of  Israel,  to  do  it 
for  them.'  Special  seasons  for  prayer  have, therefore,  been  ob- 
served, and  concert  in  prayer  has  been  maintained  by  com- 
panies of  the  devout.  It  has  been  confessed  and  lamented»that 
the  Holy  Ghost  has  not  been  duly  honored,  and  that  his 
gracious  operations  have  not  been  so  fervently  and  constantly 
implored, in  connection  with  the  ministrations  of  the  Gospel  aa 
should  have  been.  Hence,  therefore,  times  of  humiliation  and 
earnest  supplication  have  been  consecrated  by  many  who  are 
the  Lord's  remembrancers.  Nor  have  they  passed,without  the 
happy  experience  of  the  richest  personal  enjoyment  as  seasons 
of  refreshing  from  the  Divine  presence.  The  extended  awaken- 
ing which  occurred  last  year  in  the  commercial  cities  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  myriads  who  were  brought  to  decision, 
and  to  join  themselves  to  the  Lord  in  transatlantic  churches, 
were,  doubtless,  preceded  and  accompanied  by  much   believing 


206  THE   HARVEST  WORK. 

and  importunate  prayer.  Tidings  of  these  things  came  to  the 
ears  of  the  church  in  Britain,  and  were  difiused  into  remote  and 
obscure  places .  Contemporaneous  with  the  work  in  America, 
has  been  a  sileit  but  gracious  manifestation  of  renewing  and 
saving  power  in  the  mountainous  regions  of  Wales,  and  some 
isolated  parts  of  Scotland.  These  fruits  have  been  consequent 
not  less  upon  the  labors  and  prayers  of  lay  Christians  than  of 
faithful  pastors.  The  Rev.  W.  Arthur  has  well  described  the 
result ;  *  when  the  true  spiritual  element  of  man  is  shed  upon 
and  around  him,  and  the  Divine  breath  flows  into  his  soul  in- 
sensibly and  with  spiritual  power  ;  then,  when  the  Spirit  is 
poured  out,  as  Joel  prophesied,  and  as  the  pentecoBtal  Christians 
experienced,  the  servants  of  God  seem  to  breathe  their  native 
air  ;  men,who  before  languidly  supported  a  certain  kind  of  re- 
ligious existence,  are  borne  along  over  their  daily  temptations 
as  upon  eagles'  wings ;  the  besetments  of  their  temperament 
abate  like  ailments  in  returning  health.  They  answer  to  the 
call  of  duties,  whether  in  the  family,  in  business,  or  the  church, 
with  a  joyful  sense  of  help ;  and  it  is  *  easy '  then  *  for  the 
Boul  to  be  true." 

*<  This  state  of  life  in  the  members,  and  power  in  the  services 
of  the  church,  is  never  unaccompanied  with  fruitfulness  in  her 
labors.  Then  mothers  tell  with  streaming  eyes  how  their  wil- 
ful boys  have  begun  to  lead  a  new  life ;  tried  and  broken-spirit- 
ed wives  begin  to  see  their  husbands  strangely  seeking  God  ; 
men  of  cold  and  selfish  temper  are  found  with  full  eyes  in  the 
sanctuary,  and  with  new  benevolence  doing  good  to  their  neigh- 
bors. It  is  then  we  hear  of  the  proud  becoming  lowly  ;  the 
churl,  liberal ;  the  wild,  sedate  and  wise  ;  and  many  a  fair  and 
happy  transformation  from  sinful  to  Christian  living,  which,  as 
it  circulates  in  the  neighborhood,  stirs  some  other  heart  to  say, 
'  Is  it  not  time  for  me  also  to  seek  the  Lord  ?  '  and  thus  Chris- 
tian conversions  go  on  spreading  from  day  to  day,  until  the 
number  of  the  newly  awakened  is  such  as  to  make  a  percepti- 
ble impression  upon  the  community.' 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  207 

**  The  earliest  personal  trace  of  the  origin  of  the  present 
spiritual  movement,  in  the  county  of  Antrim,  is  given  on  the  tes- 
timony of  a  gentleman  who  had  friendly  intercourse  with  the  in- 
dividuals concerned.  Mrs.  C.,an  English  lady,  visited  Ireland 
in  the  spring  of  1856,  and  spent  the  following  summer  and 
autumn  in  the  town  of  Bjillymena.  She  thought  the  people  cold 
and  indifferent  about  religion,  and  wns  often  much  cast  down, 
because  of  their  spiritual  deadness.  She  visited  the  poor  in 
their  cottages,  and  read  the  Scriptures  to  them,  and  prayed  witli 
them,  but  in  most  cases  they  considered  the  time  thus  occupied 
as  lost.  Occasionally  she  called  on  the  rich,  with  the  intention 
of  speaking  to  them  on  personal  religion ;  but  they  inclined  to 
say  little  on  that  point,  and  often  contrived  to  change  the  sub- 
ject of  conversation.  On  the  whole,  she  considered,  the  rich 
gave  her  a  much  colder  reception  than  the  poor.  Her  patience 
was  greatly  tried  ;  but  she  persevered,  and  expected  a  blessing 
to  follow  her  weak  efforts.  During  the  summer  her  friend, 
Lieut.  A.,  who  gives  his  whole  time  and  substance  to  the  work 
of  God,  came,  and  preached  with  great  earnestness.  He 
was  favorably  received  by  Presbyterian  clergymen,  but  especial- 
ly by  Mr.  M.,  of  Ballymena,  who  invited  him  to  his  pulpit, 
and  assisted  him  in  getting  up  meetings  elsewhere.  Mrs.  C. 
feared  that  God  had  not  as  yet  acknowledged  her  anxious 
labors  ;  but  she  knew  not  of  one  little  seed  she  had  dropped,  a 
(few  days  before  she  left  Ballymena.  She  had  some  time  pre- 
viously visited  two  ladies,  who  liked  to  talk  about  religious  mat- 
ters, but  especially  delighted  in  controversial  squabbles,  and 
found  them  engaged  discussing  pre-ordination,  free-will,  &c., 
with  a  young  man  named  J.  McQ.  Having  listened  to  them 
for  some  time,  she  sought  to  impress  upon  them  the  absurdity 
of  such  a  fruitless  discussion.  Neither  party  seemed  to  her  to 
have  a  higher  object  in  view  than  to  see  who  could  best  argue. 
The  young  man  was  an  entire  stranger  to  her  ;  so  that  she  ad- 
dressed herself  chiefly  to  the  ladies,  and  spoke  to  them  on  the 
importance  of  seeking  a  ^rsonal  interest  in  the  Saviour.     Her 


208  TflE  Harvest  wouk 

words  took  deep  root  in  the  heart  of  J.  McQ.,  who  left,  rumi- 
nating on  the  truths  brought  before  him.     He  determined  to 
lead  a  new  life,  and  prayed  to  God  for  assistance.     He  was  a 
poor  young  man,  with  a  wife  and  two  children,  and  was  em- 
ployed in  one  of  the  mills   near  Connor.      He  advanced  in 
spiritual  matters,   reading    the   Bible,   and  '  George  Muller's 
Life  and  Labors  in  Bristol,'  till  the  spring   of  1857,  when  two 
of  his  Sabbath-school  class  were   converted  to   God.     He   thus 
spent  much  time  in  prayer,  seeking  a  companion  to  assist  him 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord.     One  came  to  him  in  the  person  of  J. 
McW.     These  two  met  often  in  Kells  for  special  prayer,  and 
asked  God  directly  for  what  they  wanted.     He  was  graciously 
pleased  to  hear  them.  One  belonging  to  the  Sabbath-school  class 
came  and  joined  their  little  prayer-meeting,  which  then  num- 
bered three.    In  a  short  time  after,  two  more  found  the  Saviour, 
and  joined  themselves  with  them.   Thus  their  numbers  gradual- 
ly increased.     In  January,  1858,  a  child  in  one  of  the  classes 
in  their  little  Sabbath-school  was  so  overpowered,  that  its  body 
was  prostrated,  and  it  suffered  greatly  in  consequence.     This 
astonished  them,  as  it  was  the  first  they  had  ever  seen  or  heard 
of ;  but  still  they  went  on  with  their  prayer-meetings  and  Sab- 
bath-school, and  God  blessed  their  efforts  in  a  remarkable  man- 
ner.    In  May,  1858,  they  could  number  sixteen  or  seventeen 
who  had  experienced  the  blessed  change.     This  gave  them  great 
courage ;  and  in  spite  of  some  petty  opposition  in  the  shape  of 
sneers,  &c.,  they  continued  to  ask  and  to  receive.     Faith  grew. 
Hope  brightened.     '  The  power  of  prayer  '  began  to  be  known. 
and  felt,  and  seen.     The  spring  communion  came  on.   Through- 
out the  extensive  parish,  consisting  of  some  thousand  families, 
it  was  generally  known  that,  lately,  persons  had  been  turned 
to  the  Lord  among  them  —  some  moral,  and  some  wildly  im- 
moral.    A  few  had  heard  of  a  similiar  triumph  of  divine  grace 
beyond  the  Atlantic.    The  services  were  peculiarly  solemn. 
The  Master's  presence  seemed  to  be  recognized,  and  His  call 
hear  i.     A  great  -rapulse  was  given  to  consideration  and  seri- 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  209 

oueneBS,  intensifying  and  extending  these  general  precursorB  of 
conviction  and  revival.  The  old  prajer-meetings  began  to  be 
thronged,  and  many  new  ones  established.  No  diflficulty  was 
now  to  find  persons  to  take  part  in  them.  The  winter  was 
past ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  had  come.  Humble, 
grateful,  loving,  joyous  converts  multiplied.  They,  with  the 
children  of  God.  who  in  that  district  have  been  revived  — 
greatly  refreshed  by  the  Divine  Spirit  —  are  now  very  numer- 
ous. There  were,  on  an  average,  sixteen  prayer -meetings  every 
night  in  the  week,  throughout  the  bounds  of  that  one  congre- 
gation—  i.  e.,  about  one  hundred  weekly.  The  awakening  to  a 
sight  of  sin,  the  conviction  of  its  sinfulness,  the  illumination  of 
the  soul  in  the  knowledge  of  a  glorious  Saviour,  and  conversion 
to  Him  —  all  this  operation,  carried  on  by  the  life-giving  Spirit, 
was  in  the  Connor  district  for  more  than  eighteen  months  ;  a 
calm,  quiet,  gradual,  in  some  cases  a  lengthened  process,  not 
commencing  in,  or  accompanied  by,  a  '  smiting  down '  of  the 
body,  or  any  extraordinary  physical  prostration,  more  than 
what  might  be  expected  to  result  from  great  anxiety  and  deep 
sorrow.  Thus,  it  is  worthy  of  being  noticed  and  remembered, 
that  the  present  American  Revival  began  in  1857  ;  bo  did  the 
Revival  in  Connor  :  —  the  one  began  in  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber, BO  did  the  other  :  prayer  —  fervent,  confiding,  and  un- 
ceasing, was  the  prominent  characteristic  of  the  one  and  of  the 
other  :  laymen  —  six  in  the  one  case,  and  four  in  the  other  — 
were  the  prominent  agents  in  commencing  the  work  in  the  one 
country  as  well  aa  in  the  other." 

TIMES     OF     REFRESHING. 

"  A  great  change  in  religion  has  come  over  many  parts  of  our 
Irish  land  during  the  past  twenty  years.  The  light  of  Divine 
truth,  mingled  with  the  Spirit's  power,  has  extended  over 
numerous  spots,  now  radiant  with  conversion,  where  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  is  no  longer  as  *  a  stranger  in  the  land,'  or  '  a  way- 
faring man  that  turneth  aside  to  tarry '  only  *  for  a  night.' 


210  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

**  So  signal  and  surprising  is  the  present  awakening,  that  wu 
are  like  men  that  dream  a  pleasant  dream.  Now  is  our  mouth 
filled  with  laughter,  and  our  tongue  with  singing.  As  streams 
in  the  south,  after  mighty  rains  of  refreshing,  return  to  their 
deserted  channels ;  so  in  the  hundreds  of  sanctuaries  in  our 
land,  once  almost  desolate  of  power  and  life,  there  is  a  river  of 
salvation,  the  waters  of  which  make  glad  the  city  of  our  God. 

"  I  feel  humbled  and  astonished  that  so  much  slight  has  been 
cast  upon  this  glorious  work,  and  that,  too,  by  some  good  men. 
Whilst  the  Lord  lias  been  making  hundreds  of  churches,  once 
deader  in  a  Laodicean  state,  each  one  a  Bochim  —  a  place  of 
tears  —  and  whilst  over  five  counties,  prayer  —  the  Spirit's  own 
breath  —  has  been  made  without  ceasing,  numbers  of  professed 
Christians  and  ministers  are  still  standing  at  a  distance,  or 
coldly  speculating  concerning  it.  Some  who  believe  in  the 
work  as  a  revival  of  religion,  and  rejoice  in  it,  yet  compromise 
and  apologise  respecting  the  physical  phenomena,  as  if  these, 
without  reserve,  should  be  condemned.  I  am  not  ashamed  to 
confess  to  a  different  mind.  I  have  seen  too  much,  not  to  say, 
in  regard  to  many  bodily  cases,  '  This  is  the  finger  of  God.' 

"  With  Dr.  Carson,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  physical  agent, 
whatever  it  may  be,  has  been  sent  by  God ;  and  for  a  specific 
purpose.  Such  was  its  effect  one  night  in  Coleraine,  he  re- 
marks, that  it  was  like  the  day  of  judgment,  when  sinners  will 
call  on  the  mountains  and  the  rocks  to  hide  them.  '  It  struck 
terror  to  the  heart  of  the  most  hardened  and  obdurate  sinner. 
The  whole  town  was  in  a  state  of  alarm,  business  was  forgotten, 
and  the  revival  was  the  only  subject  of  conversation.  A  French 
invasion  could  not  have  produced  so  great  a  panic.  I  have  seen 
much  of  the  accumulated  misery  of  bodily  disease  and  mental 
distress;  but  I  never  saw  anything  to  be  compared  to  the 
harrowing  scene  in  the  Coleraine  Town  Hall.  It  would  be  quite 
impossible  to  imagine  any  agency  more  powerful  for  drawing 
the  attention  of  men  to  the  state  of  their  souls.  I  heard  many 
people  mocking  and  scoffing,  befor*  that  night,  about  the  revi- 


OP   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  211 

val ;  but  when  I  Baw  the  same  parties  examining  the  caees  in 
the  Town  Hall,  their  mocking  was  at  an  end,  and  they  looked 
like  criminals  whose  hour  was  at  hand.  No  other  sort  of  a  re- 
vival could  have  had  the  same  effects.  If  one  half  of  the  inhabi- 
tants had  been  converted  in  a  minute,  in  the  ordinary  way,  the 
other  half  would  not  have  believed  it  — they  would  have  laugh- 
ed at  it  as  a  vision.     It  would  have  had  no  effect  upon  them. 

"  Exception  has  been  taken  to  excesses  and  extravagances. 
Excesses  and  extravagances  may  be  expected,  where  so  vast  a 
surface  lies  open  before  the  enemy  of  souls.  '  Tares  '  are  usual- 
ly found  wherever  there  is  '  wheat ;'  '  mire  and  dirt '  will  be 
flung  up  by  the  deep  *  sea'  of  spiritual  conflict  with  Satan. 

"  But  I  have  seen  the  most  hallowed  results  in  the  minds  and 
lives  of  per8ons,who  were  stricken  under  circumstances  where 
no  natural  cause  could  be  traced. 

"  I  said  to  a  young  man  in  the  North,  who  had  been  lying  in  a 
stricken  state  for  three  days,  — '  Did  you  ever  wish  to  be  strick- 
en ? '  *  Never.'  '  Did  you  ever  dread  it  ?  '  '  Never.'  '  When 
it  occurred  were  you  in  a  heated  atmosphere?  '  'No.'  '  In  a 
crowd  ? '  *  No.'  *  Under  an  exciting  sermon  ?  '  '  No. '  '  How 
did  you  feel  when  lying  in  a  stricken  state  ?  '  'Of  the  external 
world  I  knew  nothing.  Internally  I  felt  a  dreadful  load  of  sin. ' 
*  Had  you  never  suspected  it  before  ?  '  '  Never.  I  had  always 
thought  that  I  was  a  Christian,  and  others  thought  me  to  be  a 
Christian.'  '  How  was  your  mind  occupied  during  the  long 
period  in  which  you  were  stricken  ?  '  '  I  had  a  dreadful  conflict. 
The  idea  of  being  a  Christian  was  like  a  voice  within  contending 
that  I  was  such;  but  the  dark  load  of  sin  on  my  soul,  like 
another  self,  declared  that  it  was  not.  I  felt  utterly  lost,  and, 
laying  aside  the  notion  that  I  was  a  Christian,  as  a  sinner  I 
cried  to  God  to  have  mercy  upon  me.'  *How  did  your  relief 
come  ?'  '  On  the  third  day  I  heard  the  archdeacon  pray,  '  Lord 
lay  not  this  sin  to  to  his  own  charge,  but  lay  it  to  the  charge  of 
Him  whose  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin.'    That  substitutionary 


212  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

truth  concerning  ein  and  its  removal  bj  Christ,  I  at  once  em- 
braced, and  the  dreadful  eense  of  its  curse  was  gone ;  and 
then,  though  my  bodily  strength  was  completely  prostrate,  I  felt 
a  peace  of  mind  which  passeth  all  understanding  —  a  joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory.'  '  Should  you  ever  lose  that  sense 
of  peace  and  joy,  how  would  you  feel  ? '  '  Oh  !  I  could  not  lose 
it ;  if  I  were  to,  I  should  feel  humbled,  yet  still  I  should  have 
Christ.'' 

"  One  thing  in  this  case  struck  me  most  forcibly,  and,  I  may 
add,  solemnly.  I  said,  '  As  a  supposed  Christian,  you  were  in 
the  habit  of  the  daily  perusal  of  the  Bible  ?  '  '  Yes,  daily  ;  but  I 
read  it  because  I  wished  to  know  it,  and  because  it  was  only 
consistent  for  me  to  study  it,  and,  also,  that  I  might  understand 
its  truths  in  relation  to  surrounding  controversies ;  but,^  he 
added,  '  I  know  that  I  never  loved  it  —  that  I  never,  until  now, 
had  any  sense  or  intelligence  of  its  true  value  and  blessedness.' 
Alas  !  I  thought,  how  many  are  like  this  !  they  think  they  are 
Christians,  they  appear  such  to  others,  but  they  are  not  so  in 
reality. 

"  And  now,  turning  from  this  case  I  have  the  most  precious 
remembrance  of  two  little  girls,  both  of  whom  had,  along  with 
some  others,  been  stricken  in  a  school.  They  were  very  poor, 
and  very  young  —  one  nine  and  the  other  seven  years  of  age. 
I  said  to  her,  *  Mary,  you  do  not  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  do 
you  ?  '  Thinking  that  I  had  denied  the  fact  of  her  love  to  the 
Saviour,  the  tears  broke  down  her  face,  and  her  hands  were 
clasped  in  the  greatest  earnestness,  whilst  she  replied,  *  0  sir, 
I  do  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  I  do,  I  do  love  Him !  '  '  How 
long  is  it  since  you  commenced  to  love  him?  '  *  0  sir,  ever  since 
we  first  began  to  seek  Him.'  '  Nay,  nay,  dear,'  said  her  little 
companion,  a  thin,  pallid-faced  child  of  dark  intelligent  eyes  — 
*  Nay,  nay,  dear  ;  we  did  not  first  seek  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  it 
was  who  first  sought  us. ' 

'  Wonderful !     I  thought.     What   *  praise  '   is  this  that  1 


OF   THE   HOLT   SPIRIT.  218 

hear  thus  from  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings,  aud  what 
truth !  How  sound  its  theology  !  How  suggestive  and  compre 
bensive  !  I  said,  ••  Mary,  would  you  like  me  to  pray  with  you  ?* 
adding,  '  Remember  you  must  pray  for  each  other.'  Ere  1  had 
risen  from  my  knees,  this  little  disciple  taking  me  at  my  word, 
began  in  a  low,  soft  tone  to  warble  such  a  prayer  as  I  had  never 
heard.  She  prayed  for  her  companions,  then  for  her  poor  neigh- 
bors. She  said,  '  Lord  Jesus,  thou  hast  come  into  our  hearts 
with  thy  love ;  wilt  thou  not  go  into  all  their  hearts  with  thy 
luve?'  She  then  extended  her  requests  for  our  country,  that 
all  its  people  may  know  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and  to  the  whole 
world,  that  the  poor  heathen  especially  may  soon  hear  of  Him 
and  love  Him.  Having  prayed  most  fervently  for  the  whole 
human  race,  she  concluded  by  saying,  '  And  now,  Lord  Jesus, 
(or,  dear  Lord  Jesus,)  I  have  nothing  more  to  say.     Amen.' 

"Do  you  ask,  whence  this  great  change  in  religion?  1 
answer,  from  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  And 
especially  of  late,on  the  truth  faithfully  preached.  God  has  not 
set  aside  but  revived  the  preaching  of  His  word.  He  has  taught, 
that  the  preaching  which  He  honors  is  not  that  of  mere  philoso- 
phy, but  of  Christ.  The  one  may  be  attractive  and  costly,  as 
the  offering  of  Cain  ;  but  the  other,  like  the  acceptable  service 
of  Abel,  is  valuable  for  the  simple  manifestation  of  the  *  blood.' 
But  whilst  such  as  Paul  must  preach,  and  Apollos  water,  it  is 
the  work  of  the  Elijahs  of  the  Church  to  pray  down  the  increase. 

*'  My  earnest  prayer,  then,  is,  that  God,  in  mercy  to  our  con- 
dition, may  deepen  this  work,  and  extend,  it.  Especially  bless- 
ed would  it  be,  if  it  were  to  come  to  our  own  beloved  city  —  so 
come,  that  all  the  little  streams  and  pools  of  our  separate  and 
divided  life  in  religion  may  be  lost  in  one  vast  flood  of  Divine 
awakening,  of  spiritual  union,  of  life  abounding  in  all  true 
Christians,  and  sincere  love  towards  all  saints.  May  the  Lord 
the  Spirit  give  it !  and  may  He  lead  His  people  to  desire  it,  and 
to  seek  it !  " 


214  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

The  Standing  Committee  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Ireland  give  a 
comprehensive  and  suggestive  summary  of  this 
mighty  work  of  God,  in  their  official  report. 

After  mentioning  that  357  open-air  services  had 
been  held  during  the  year,  and  that  50,000  persons 
had  thus  heard  the  message  of  the  Gospel,  it  states  : 

"  1.  Persons  of  both  sexes,  of  all  ages,  of  different  grades  of 
society,  of  various  denominations  of  professing  Christians,  in- 
cluding Unitarians  and  Roman  Catholics,  have  been  at  once  con- 
vinced of  sin,  and  apparently  converted  to  God. 

"  2.  These  spiritual  emotions  have  been  accompanied,  in  a 
very  large  number  of  cases,  by  physical  impressions,  producing 
bodily  infirmity,  and  continuing,  in  some  cases,  for  hours,  and  in 
others  for  days,  and  usually  terminating  in  peace  of  conscience, 
and  sometimes  in  *joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.* 

'*  The  two  great  truths  on  which  the  converts  prominently, 
and  almost  exclusively,  dwell,  are  —  the  sinfulness  and  utter 
helplessness  of  men,  and  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ  as  a  living, 
personal  Redeemer. 

"4.  No  heresy  has  been  started  in  this  new  and  unusual 
state  of  religious  excitement.  The  whole  movement,  in  its 
various  aspects,  tends  to  give  striking  and  vivid  illustration  of 
the  great  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  as  they  are  set  forth  in  our 
Catechisms  and  Confession  of  Faith. 

"5.  The  effect  produced  by  this  awakening  on  the  life  and 
character  of  those  who  have  experienced  it,  is  decidedly  evan- 
gelical—  a  deep  sense  of  sin,  especially  of  the  sin  of  having 
neglected  the  great  salvation,  fervent  love  of  Christ,  intense 
brotherly  kindness,  earnest  desire  for  the  conversion  of  sinners, 
habitual  communion  with  (xod,  and  delight  in  His  Word,  wor- 
ship, and  service.  These  attributes  of  character  are  assuredly 
the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  and  these  are  the  characteristics  of  mul- 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIKIT.  215 

titudes  who  have  lately  declared  themselves  the  servants  of 
Christ.  The  drunkard  has  been  made  sober ;  thelibertine,cha8te  ; 
the  blasphemer  and  Sabbath-breaker,  devout ;  the  worldling,  con- 
strained to  think  deeply  and  penitently  of  his  sins,  and  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  These  are  surely  trophies  of  Divine 
grace,  and  many  such  trophies  as  those  have  been  raised  to  the 

honor  of  God  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  revival" 

• 

The  number  of  hopeful  conversions  cannot  be  es- 
timated, till  Christ  "  makes  up  his  jewels."  And 
the  wonderful  ingathering  declares,  that  the  Spirit 
works  by  no  rule  of  our  wisdom,  but  must  be  grate- 
fully and  humbly  accepted,  come  when,  and  in  what 
way  he  shall  please  ;  and  points  the  dull  eye  of  our 
faith  to  the  hastening  time,  when  "  kings  and  queens 
ehall  lay  their  honors  at  the  feet  of  Immanuel." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Commencement  of  Labors  in  Boston— Services  in  the  Salem 
Street  Church — Statements  Respecting  the  Work — Letters  from 
Young  Converts — Revival  in  Portland— Letters- -Interesting  Cases 
of  Conversion. 

Upon  Mr.  Hammond's  arrival  in  America,  he  be- 
gan to  labor  in  Pownal,  Yt.,  and  other  places,  find- 
ing it  difficult  to  realize  the  first  intention  to  rest  and 
recruit  exhausted  energies.  He  received  invitations 
to  labor  in  different  fields,  when,  incidentally  visiting 
Boston,  early  in  September,  he  preached  in  the  Sa- 
lem Street  Church.  Interest  was  apparent,  and 
prominent  pastors  of  the  city  urged  the  continuance 
of  the  meetings,  and  took  part  in  them.  Rev.  Geo. 
Dunham,  who  had  supplied  the  pulpit  in  the  pas- 
tor's absence,  wrote  the  following  sketch  for  the 
Congregationalist : 

"  Some  cases  of  thoughtfulnesB  had  existed  in  the  congrega- 
tion and  the  Sabbath  school,  for  months  previous.  And  there 
was  considerable  tenderness  and  disposition  to  prayer,  also,  in 
some  members  of  the  church  at  the  time.  Such  were  prepared 
to  hail  his  coming  as  a  harbinger  of  mercy,  and  to  welcome  him 
as  one  sent  from  God  laden  with  blessings.  Such  were  ready  to 
co-operate  with  him  in  his  contemplated  labor. 

"  After  a  few  of  the  first  evenings,  the  people  gathered  in 
such  numbers,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  open  the  large  au- 


OF   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  217 

dience  room;  and, from  that  time  to  the  present,  the  lower  floor 
has  been  filled  almost  uninterruptedly,  and  in  several  instances 
it  has  been  packed  full — galleries,  organ  loft,  and  aisles.  The 
congregations  have  been  uniformly  still,  solemn,  and  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  preaching  of  the  word.  The  character  of  the 
preaching  and  addresses  has  been  the  simplest,  most  plain,  and 
direct  possible.  The  topics,  only  such  as  are  often  thought  old 
and  threadbare  ;  the  City  of  Refuge,  the  Prodigal  Son,  the  love  of 
Christ  for  lost  sinners,  their  danger  of  endless  punishment,  and 
Puch  as  these.  The  manner  of  the  preacher  is  generally  subdued 
and  tender,  sometimes  full  of  melting  pathos,  and  sometimes 
yising  to  a  good  degree  of  eloquent  majesty. 

**  It  seems  very  evident  that  God  is  in  the  assemblies,  doing 
His  great  work,  convicting  sinners,  and  delivering  them  from 
lx)ndage  and  death.  A  meeting  for  prayer  is  held  at  7  o'clock 
in  the  lecture  room,  for  half  an  hour,  which  is  often  full,  and 
always  solemn.  Latterly,  a  meeting  of  young  converts  is  held 
at  the  same  hour,  in  another  room,  when  as  many  as  fifty  or 
sixty  assemble  to  exhort,  pray  and  sing,  with  some  old  Christian 
counsellors  to  assist  them.  At  half-past  seven  the  preaching 
services  commence,  and  nearly  an  hour  and  a  half  is  occupied  in 
this  by  Mr.  Hammond,  occasionally  assisted  by  other  clergy- 
men. The  audiences  have  been  profoundly  still,  and  often  deep- 
ly afiected. 

"  The  great  and  peculiar  feature  of  the  movement  is  found  in 
the  inquiry  meetings  that  follow  the  preaching.  At  the  close 
)f  this  service,  all  Christians  that  are  willing  to  converse  and 
pray  with  anxious  sinners,  or  to  unite  in  praying  for  them,  are 
invited   to  repair  to  the  lecture  room,  and  take  with  them  as 

Tiany,  who  are  willing  to  be  conversed  with  personally,  as  they 
can  persuade  to  go. 

**  The  meeting  is  opened  with  singing,  and  some  short  address- 
es and  prayers.  At  this  point  it  is  always  instinct  with  inter- 
est and  solemnity.  It  afterwards  becomes  informal  and  social, 
the  brethren   and   sisters  speaking  a  few   words  of  inquiry, 


218  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

(Jounsel,  or  encouragement  to  each  other,  and  eearching  out 
Buch  as  are  yet  strangers  to  the  peace  of  God,  conversing  with 
them,  striving  to  deepen  their  feeling,  and  point  them  to  the 
Saviour  ;  they  kneel  together  in  little  groups  about  the  room, 
and  in  adjoining  rooms,  and  pray  individually  with  such  as  are 
willing  to  be  prayed  with.  These  personal  and  close  dealings 
often  culminate  at  once  in  hopeful  conversion.  Many  souls 
have  been  led  at  once  directly  to  Christ,  and  have  obtained  a 
sweet  relief.  Sometimes  eight  or  ten  groups  will  be  conversing 
and  praying  together  at  the  same  time,  in  low  and  earnest 
tones  ;  and, instead  of  the  confusion  that  might  be  apprehended, 
the  effect  is  not  unlike  the  order  of  a  Sabbath  school  recitation. 
I  believe  no  night  has  passed  now  for  a  considerable  time,  when 
some  have  not  been  reported  as  having  consecrated  themselves  to 
Christ,  and  obtained  evidence  of  forgiveness.  The  number  hope- 
fully converted  are  probably  as  many  as  one  hundred,  and  there 
are  still  many  thoughtful. 

"  Christians  from  many  miles  around  have  come  in,  to  min- 
gle with  the  rising  tide  of  religious  influence  and  feeling,  and 
have  found  it  good  to  be  there.  The  work  seems  still  to  be 
increasing  in  depth  and  power,  and  there  is  strong  hope  of  still 
greater  displays  of  divine  goodness  and  saving  grace. " 

It  was  hoped  and  believed,  at  one  time, that  the 
work,  so  similar  to  that  in  Glasgow  in  its  commence- 
ment, would,  as  there,  sweep  over  the  city,  bring- 
ing thousands  within  its  embrace. 

Might  not  the  fact,  of  the  hopeful  conversion  oi 
more  than  one  hundred  souls,  have  been  used  to 
move  the  hearts  of  the  Christians  of  Boston,  to  more 
wrestling  prayer  for  a  mighty  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  earnest  pleading  for  the  salvation 
of  the  perishing  ? 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIKIT.  219 

Whatever  may  have  been  unusual  in  any  of  the 
methods  employed  to  reach  the  people ;  and  even 
if,  as  some  may  affirm,  mistakes  were  made  through 
human  infirmity,  lessons  we  are  ever  learning ;  — ^that 
it  was  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  and  infinitely  better 
than  the  uniformity  of  spiritual  dearth  and  death, 
no  observant,  living  Christian  will  doubt.  God 
greatly  blessed  the  souls  of  men,  and  vindicated  the 
power  of  his  simple  gospel,  and  faithful  endeavors  to 
save. 

Of  an  open  air  meeting  on  the  Common,  the  Bos- 
ton Journal  contained  this  notice  : 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk  conducted  the  services,  and,  after  a  few  re- 
marks, stating  the  meeting  to  be  one  in  which  all  denominations 
could  unite  in  seeking  religion,  he  opened  with  prayer,  and  in- 
troduced Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond,  who  followed  with  an  impress- 
ive discourse  for  nearly  an  hour  ;  and,  with  simple  statements 
of  the  fast  amount  of  evil  daily  practised  by  us,  impressed  his 
hearers  with  the  truth  of  their  sinful  state,  and  invited  them 
all  to  seek  the  forgiveness  and  grace  of  God." 

For  a  farther  history  of  the  revival,  we  have  a 
sketch,  from  the  pen  of  a  reporter  of  the  Traveller,  of 
a  meeting  held  Oct.  5th  : 

*'  Re7.  Dr.  Kirk,  who  was  present,  then  rose  and  addressed 
the  large  company  before  him.  Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  the 
speaker,  and  the  deepest  solemnity  pervaded  the  entire  audience. 
Uc  commenced  by  saying,  '  What  a  sight !  What  are  you  all 
here  for  ?  What  do  you  want?  '  After  a  few  words  upon  the 
immense  importance  of  the  occasion,  he  asked  those  present  who 
hoped  they  had  recently  found  the  Saviour  to  rise.    A  large 


220  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

number  etood,  inchiding  whole  Beats  of  young  men  and  some 
young  children.  He  then  prayed  for  them,  and  afterwards  ad- 
dressed those  present  who  were  seeking  the  Saviour  in  his  usual 
impressive  and  earnest  manner. 

♦•  Rev.  Mr.  Hammond  then  requested  Christians  either  to  as- 
sist him  in  conversing  with  inquirers  or  to  repair  to  an  adjoin- 
ing room  for  prayer.  An  interesting  scene  then  followed.  The 
whole  company  were  at  once  engaged  in  praying,  talking,  and 
praising  God.  In  one  comer  were  four  or  five  ladies  kneeling 
and  praying  around  an  anxious  soul.  In  another  was  a  group 
of  little  children,  who  were  addressed  by  an  elderly  man  and 
exhorted  to  give  their  hearts  to  Christ. 

<'  In  another  place,  was  a  young  man  rejoicing,  who  a  few 
days  ago  was  a  Catholic.  He  was  busily  engaged  in  conversing 
with  a  Catholic  woman.  Rev.  Mr.  Hammond  soon  came  along 
and  conversed  with  her.  She  said  she  would  like  to  give  her 
heart  to  the  Saviour,  if  she  could  do  so  without  renouncing  her 
faith.  Said  he,  <  Don't  you  worry  about  that.  Isn't  it  your 
duty  to  submit  to  Jesus  ?  *  Yes,'  said  she.  '  Then  do  it. '  The 
three  then  kneeled  down.  Mr.  Hammond  prayed  and  she  pray- 
ed that  Jesus  might  forgive  her  sins.  We  left  them  in  that 
situation. 

"  A  few  feet  distant  from  the  last  group,  was  a  young  lady  of 
remarkable  intelligence  stating  to  those  around  her  how,  a  few 
nights  since,  she  had  given  her  heart  to  the  Saviour.  She  said 
she  dared  Mr.  Hammond  to  affect  her.  She  did  n't  believe  in 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Something  which  was  said,  however,  touched 
her,  and  she  felt  deeply.  She  prayed  to  God  if  there  was  any 
Holy  Spirit  to  show  it  to  her ;  and  that  night, with  her  sense  of 
sinfulness  weighing  her  down,  she  gave  her  heart  to  Christ. 
We  have  never  seen  a  happier  person. 

*<  Close  by, was  a  woman  of  fifty  years  of  age,  who,  with 
tears  of  joy  running  down  her  cheeks,  was  relating  to  others  an 
account  of  the  great  change  which  had  taken  place  in  her  feel- 
ings.    In  another  place  was  a  group  singing,  and  adjoining  this 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  221 

were  a  half  dozen  praying  for  a  weeping  sinner.  All  through 
the  three  rooms  were  little  companies  similarly  situated,  and 
the  whole  scene  was  one  which  can  never  be  forgotten  by  those 
who  witnessed  it.  Mr.  Hammond  was  all  over  the  rooms  con- 
versing a  few  minutes  with  all.  His  custom  was  to  make  the 
anxious  soul  kneel  and  pray  with  a  number  of  others,  and  in 
this  way  consecrate  himself  to  God. 

**  The  work  seems  to  be  going  on  with  unusual  power.  Rev. 
Mr.  Field,  the  pastor,  who  has  just  returned  from  his  vacation, 
enters  into  the  work  heartily,  and  unites,  with  all  his  soul,  in 
the  efforts  making  to  lead  the  impenitent  to  the  Cross." 

In  lookmg  over  correspondence,  we  read  a  letter 
to  the  mother  of  the  Evangelist,  from  which  we 
take  a  passage  of  experience,  which  will  touch  the 
Christian  heart : 

"lam  seeking  to  get  low  before  a  holy  sin-hating  God,  so 
that  He  may  use  me  for  his  glory  —  in  leading  sinners  to  Him. 
I  must  lie  in  the  dust,  or  nothing  will  be  done  by  me.  He  will 
set  me  aside.  I  have  not  much  power  given  me  yet.  It  must 
be,l)ecause  I  am  not  in  a  right  state  to  receive  it.  0  Lord ! 
prepare  me  to  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit !  This  is  my  con- 
stant prayer." 

We  give  extracts  from  letters  written  by  young 
converts,  to  afford  a  further  glimpse  of  the  awaken- 
ing, and  illustrate  the  usefulness  of  the  inquiry 
meetings  in  producing  conviction,  while  the  already 
anxious  are  led  to  Christ ;  and  also  to  record  the 
fact,  that  all  classes  are  included  in  the  number  of 
those  savingly  brought  under  the  influence  of  the 
means  of  grace,  from  Romanists  and  seamen,  to 
Protentant  children  of  the  church  : 


222  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

"  Hundreds  of  happy  hearts  here,  in  Boston,  and  in  all  its 
schools,  will  ever  have  occasion  to  bless  the  kind  Providence 
which  directed  your  steps  to  America  and  your  words  to  our 
hearts.  I  am  not  going  to  weary  you  with  my  own  experience, 
happy  though  it  has  been,  but  simply  glance  over  a  few  in- 
teresting cases  which  you  may  wish  to  remember.  One  which 
occurs  to  my  mind  is  very  near  and  dear  to  me.  'T  is  that  of  a 
young  French  lady.  Doubtless  you  will  remember  her  as  be- 
ing, with  us,  a  constant  attendant  on  the  meetings,  where  she 
took  an  active  part  in  leading  sinners  to  the  Saviour.  Her 
father  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  but  she  was  brought  up  in  tlie 
Universalist  belief.  Ever  ready  for  novelty,  and,  perhaps,  an- 
ticipating some  amusement,  we  went,  together  with  sister 
Tiettie,  to  one  of  your  Sabbath  evening  prayer  meetings.  Your 
solemn  words  of  warning,  coupled  with  the  relation  of  an 
anecdote  '  The  Sinking  Ship,'  induced  us  to  stay  to  the  in- 
quiry meeting.  You  came  and  asked  each  of  us,  '  Do  you  love 
Jesus  ? '  The  abruptness  of  your  manner  arrested  our  atten- 
tion. The  solemnity  of  the  question,  and  its  direct  application 
to  ourselves,  served  to  awaken  sleeping  conscience,  and  deep 
conviction  was  the  result.  The  lady  before  mentioned  was 
very  deeply  anxious,  and  felt  that  she  was  a  lost  sinner,  unless 
she  believed  in  Jesus.  Prayer  was  new  to  her;  and, when  ask- 
ed to  pray,  it  was  aflFecting  to  hear  her  simple  heartfelt  words, 
in  broken  English,  asking  for  a  new  heart.  She  found  her 
Saviour  that  very  evening,  and  immediately  set  forth  in  the  ser- 
vice of  her  Master, in  which  she  has  been  engaged  ever  since. 
The  evenings  previously  devoted  to  the  ball-room,  the  theatre, 
or  some  other  alluring  pleasure  of  the  world,  are  now  spent  in 
some  gathering  of  God's  people,  or  some  way  equally  acceptable 
to  them.  Perhaps  you  will  call  to  remembrance,  too,  a  young 
gentleman,  whom  you  conversed  with  one  evening,  after  the 
exercises.  He  had  been  in  earlier  days  a  Protestant,  but  dur- 
ing his  stay  at  a  college  in  New  York,  where  he  graduated  with 
the  highest  honors,  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  a  company 


OP  THE  nOLY  SPIRIT.  223 

of  young  men,  who  persuaded  him  to  become  a  Catholic.  He 
did  80,  and  for  many  years  adhered  to  his  new  belief.  He  was 
the  means  of  turning  his  brother,  also  a  Protestant,  into  his 
error.  He  went  so  far  as  to  study  for  the  priesthood.  He  came 
to  Boston,  and,  by  some  providence,  attended  your  meetings. 
Very  soon,  as  you  know,  his  voice  was  heard  in  the  large 
congregation,  telling  how  God,  through  your  instrumentality, 
'  kad  brought  him  out  of  the  horrible  pit,  out  of  the  miry  clay.^ 
How  he  had  '  put  a  new  song  in  his  month,  even  praise  unto 
our  God.'  A  short  time  he  was  allowed  to  serve  his  loving 
Master  ere  he  was  called  to  receive  his  reward. 

"  Returning  from  one  of  the  evening  meetings,  he  was  over- 
taken by  a  heavy  rain  storm,  and  on  the  day  following  was 
taken  sick.  Typhoid  fever  soon  set  in,  and  in  a  short  time 
his  happy  spirit  had  fled — fled  to  join  that  of  his  mother, 
who  had  died  broken-hearted,  to  think  that  her  eldest  boy 
had  forsaken  the  religion  of  his  childhood.  Before  he  was 
called  away,  he  was  the  means,  under  God,  of  lifting  the 
veil  from  the  spiritual  eyes  of  a  young  lady  friend  of  mine, 
once  a  firm,  bigoted  Catholic,  but  whose  eyes,  now  opened, 
can  never  be  closed.  He  was  buried  under  Protestant  rites, 
the  minister,  who  attended  his  mother's  funeral,  performing 
the  same  office  for  her  repentant  child.  His  name  was  James 
Henry  Bridge. 

"  One  more  case,  which  I  think  will  interest  you,  and  I 
will  trespass  no  longer  on  time  so  precious  as  yours.  One 
Wednesday  evening,  you  may  have  noticed  a  party  of  sailors, 
who  came  into  the  meeting,  partly  intoxicated.  One  of 
them,  a  young  man,  was  conversed  with  by  you,  and  al- 
though no  impression  seemed  to  be  made  on  him,  you  prayed 
earnestly  for  him.  The  evening  following,  he  came  again,  im- 
pelled by  an  invisible  power.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  his 
hardened,  sinful  heart  seemed  to  be  touched,  and  as  a  first  step 
towards  reformation  ho  signed  a  pledge,  in  company  with 
Deacon  Chipman,  a  duplicate  of  which  he  carried  to  sea  with 


224  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

him  the  next  day.  Some  time  after  wards,  he  returned,  and  imme- 
diately found  his  way  to  Salem  Church.  He  could  hardly  find 
words  to  express  his  thanks  to  the  members  and  you,  in  parti- 
cular, for  your  kind  interest  in  his  welfare,  and  for  your 
words  of  counsel.  He  brought  six  of  his  shipmates  with  him, 
all  Catholics.  A  prayer  meeting  is  now  established  among 
that  Catholic  crew,  and  one  of  those  ten  dollar  libraries  is  in 
circulation. 

"I  would  I  had  space  to  tell  you  of  some  of  the  other 
blessed  results  of  your  labors  here,  but  I  have  not.  Num- 
bers are  joining  the  church  ;  eighteen  had  at  one  time  joined 
ours,  and  sixteen  at  another.     Next  Sabbath,  it  will  be  my 

privilege  to  do  so,  together    with  E ,  and    two   or   three 

other  young   ladies,   all    recent  converts. 

"We  often  sing  those  hymns  'We're  travelling  home  to 
heaven,'  and  '  Just  as  I  am,'   and  never  without  a  thrill  of 
grateful  emotion,  and  sweet  thoughts  of  those  happy  Autumn 
days— the  beginning  of  anew  life  to  many  souls. 
Youi's  in  Jesus. 

A  lamb  of  the  great  Shepherd's  flock,  in  the 
Sabbath  School,  thus  expresses  her  reason  for  the 
hope  she  found  in  Him: 

"  I  am  a  little  girl,  only  eleven  years  old,  and  I  have  felt  for 
a  long  time  that  I  have  a  very  wiicked  heart.  Sometimes  I 
would  try  to  be  good,  and  love  Jesus  ;  but  my  heart  is  so  wick- 
ed, I  thought  I  would  wait  a  little  longer  till  I  was  a  few  years 
older,  and  then  I  would  give  my  heart  to  Jesus.  But,  when  I 
went  into  the  inquiry  met^ting,  and  you  came  to  me  and  talked 
80  kindly  —  talked  to  me  about  Jesus,  and  prayed  with  me  —  I 
felt  very  unhappy,  and  that  I  was  a  great  sinner.  I  wept  and 
prayed  for  some  days ;  then  Jesus  came  and  wiped  my  tears 
ftway,  and  I  am  very  happy  now.     I  can  truBt  Jesus  at  all 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  225 

times,  for  lie  is  my  friend.  Blessed  Jesus !  that  washed  my 
sins  away  !  I  used  to  say  my  prayers,  but  now  I  can  pray  from 
my  heart,  and  it  makes  me  so  happy  to  put  my  trust  in  Jesus. 
I  love  Christians  ;  love  to  hear  them  talk  about  Jesus  ;  and  I 
love  sinners  too.  I  want  them  all  to  come  and  give  their  hearts 
to  Jesus.  Pray  for  a  little  girl,  that  she  may  always  trust  in 
Jesus. 

"  Boston,  October  16,  1861." 

The  Kecorder  published  this  additional  letter  from 
a  boy  of  thirteen  years,  read,  with  the  above,  in  the 
Old  South  Prayer  Meeting  : 

"  I  rejoice  that  I  have  found  peace  in  Jesus.  I  have  been 
born  again.  I  am  three  days  old  when  I  write  this  letter.  I 
will  tell  you  how  I  came  to  the  Lord.  The  first  time  I  came  to 
hear  you  was  the  second  Sunday  you  were  here,  and  I  then  felt 
that  I  was  a  sinner.  I  came  the  next  Sunday,  and  as  I  was 
passing  out  a  man  took  me  by  the  hand,  and  asked  me  to  come 
to  the  inquiring  meeting.  I  told  him,I  could  not,  and  went 
away.  But,a8  I  went  to  bed,  I  could  not  have  any  peace,  and  I 
resolved  the  next  night  to  go  into  the  inquiring  meeting.  I 
went  and  sat  side  of  a  man  who  conversed  with  me  about  my 
soul.  After  awhile  two  of  my  playmates  came  where  I  was, 
and  told  me  that  they  wanted  to  speak  to  me  in  private.  They 
took  me  into  a  side  room  by  the  desk.  They  prayed  for  me  and 
talked  with  me,  and  then  told  me  to  pray,  and  down  on  my 
knees  I  gave  my  heart  to  Christ.  I  said  Lord  be  merciful  to  me 
a  sinner.  Take  me  'just  as  I  am.'  Since  that  evening  I  have 
felt  peace  in  believing.  I  can  read  my  Bible  so  that  I  can  un- 
derstand it,  what  I  could  never  do  before.  I  have  talked  with 
my  playmates,  but  they  laugh  at  me  and  call  me  all  manner  of 
hard  names,  but  I  shall  never  give  up  praying  for  them.  I  will 
pray  for  them  till  I  see  them  giving  their  hearts  to  Christ." 


226  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

From  Boston  Mr.  Hammond  went  to  Portland, 
Maine.  Kev.  Mr.  Moore,  of  the  Union  Church,  where 
meetings  were  held  for  a  week,  summing  up  results 
in  the  Christian  Mirror,  gives  the  following  state- 
ment at  the  close  of  that  period : 

*'  First,  Increased  attendance  every  night  upon  the  preaching 
of  the  word,  until  the  house  was  entirely  filled,  —  with  seats 
furnished  in  the  aisles  for  the  accommodation  of  the  listeners. 

"  Second,  The  opening  of  an  afternoon  prayer  meeting, 
which,  on  the  last  afternoon  of  the  week,  filled  the  large  vestry 
with  worshippers. 

"  Third,  The  holding  of  an  inquiry  meeting  in  the  vestry,  at 
the  close  of  the  preaching  meeting,  which  nightly  increased  in 
the  number  of  inquirers,  until  the  closing  service  of  the  week, 
when  the  vestry  was  filled  with  Christians  and  anxious  per- 
sons. 

"  Fourth,  The  conversion  of  a  number  of  precious  souls,  who 
are  now  rejoicing  in  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  some  of  whom 
have  publicly  testified  to  the  saving  power  of  the  Cross  —  rising 
in  the  inquiry  meeting  to  speak  of  the  love  of  Christ.  Chris- 
tians who  have  conversed  nightly  with  the  penitent  believe  that 
"  score  at  least  have  found  the  peace  of  pardoning  love. 

'■^  An  unusual  solemnity  has  pervaded  the  meetings,  and  es- 
^rsclally  has  this  been  the  case  in  the  inquiry  meetings.  There 
Christians  Were  to  be  seen  in  different  parts  of  the  vestry,  con- 
versing with  sinners  and  anxious  persons,  or  on  their  knees 
praying  with  them,  and  with  tears  pointing  them  to  the  Saviour. 
A  verae  of  a  hymn  was  occasionally  sung ;  now  and  then  a 
word  of  warning  and  of  encouragement,  and  occasionally  a 
short  prayer  was  offered  for  some  special  case  of  inquiry,  or  for 
the  presence  of  the  Divine  Spirit. 

"  Christian  men  were  there  with  their  unconverted  wives; 
Christian  wives  sat,  with  tears  and  prayers,  beside  their  uncon- 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  227 

verted  husbands;  parents  were  praying  with  their  children, 
and  children  were  pleading  with  Christians  to  speak  and  pray 
with  their  parents.  The  utmost  solemnity  prevailed.  Chris- 
tians were  in  earnest ;  the  penitent  were  laying  hold  of  the 
Saviour  by  faith  ;  and  the  ungodly  were  awed  into  solemnity, 
and  melted  sometimes  to  tears,  and  though  they  came  to  the 
meeting  unconcerned,  were  led,  before  the  meeting  closed,  to 
ask  what  they  should  do  to  be  saved. 

"  Some  dear  children  of  the  Sabbath  school  were  weeping  for 
their  sins,  and  asking  about  the  Saviour.  God's  spirit  had 
troubled  their  hearts,  and  they  were  awakened  to  feel  their  need 
of  Christ. 

"  We  feel  that  no  true,  sound  Christian  could  have  gone  into 
and  labored  in  the  inquiry  meetings,  without  feeling  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  was  present  with  great  power. 

"  For  myself,  I  feel  greatly  strengthened  by  the  manifesta- 
tions of  the  Spirit's  presence  during  the  week  past ;  and  with 
aU  my  heart,  I  thank  God  for  the  providence  which  has  brought 
the  Evangelist  to  our  city.  May  his  labors  be  still  more  abun- 
dantly blest  in  the  other  part  of  the  city,  until  throughout  our 
city  the  work  of  God  may  revive,  and  sinners,  by  hundreds,  be 
brought  to  see  their  need  of  the  Saviour.  Especially  may  his 
labors  be  blest  in  the  oldPayson  church,  where  of  old,  God  used 
so  marvellously,  to  pour  out  his  Spirit. 

"  I  am  permitted  to  make  the  following  extract  from  a  pri- 
vate letter  written  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Hopkins,  son  of  Presi- 
dent Hopkins,  of  Williams  College,  from  the  hospital  at  Alex- 
andria. 

*"  I  believe  that  the  slow  work  of  expectation  and  instruc- 
tion is  the  pastor's  great  work  ;  but  sometimes  after  the  hus- 
bandman has  toiled  and  sowed,  and  the  long  summer  days,  full 
of  God's  sunshine  and  gentle  rains,  have  done  their  work,  the 
gleaming  fields  of  ripening  grain  would  perish  if  left  to  be 
gathered  by  him  alone  ;  and  he  must  call  some  one  with  a  sharp 
sickle  and  a  tireless  arm,  to  help  him  bring  them  in  and  shout 
the  harvest  home    And  happy  is  he  if  he  find  such  a  reaper.'  " 


228  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

We  take  further  extracts  from  a  letter  addressed 
to  a  well-known  pastor,  in  accordance  with  his  re- 
quest, which  appeared  in  the  Congregationalist : 

"  Portland,  Dec.  11, 1861. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk  —  My  Dear  Brother :  —  You  have  asked  me 
to  recall  and  state  the  circumstances,  that  preceded  and  intro- 
duced the  remarkable  work  of  grace  now  advancing  in  our  city. 
However  sudden  this  work  may  appear  to  outsiders  and  super- 
ficial observers,  it  certainly  has  not  come  suddenly  nor  alto- 
gether unexpectedly  on  the  pastor,  or  on  the  prayerful  and 
practically  devoted  members  of  the  church  with  which  he  is 
identified.  The  desirableness  of  a  genuine  revival  of  religion 
has  long  been  the  subject  of  social  conversation  —  the  brief  ad- 
dresses of  the  conference  room  have  often  turned  on  the  mo- 
mentous theme  —  and  prayer,  earnest,  fervent  and  importunate, 
for  a  plenteous  efi'usion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  a  prominent 
feature  of  our  social  devotions. 

"  We  shared  with  all  our  sister  churches  —  during  the  spring 
and  summer  months  —  the  distracting  and  depressing  influence 
of  the  war  ;  and,  at  times,  the  idea  was  by  some  very  freely  ex- 
pressed, that  it  was  utterly  vain  to  hope  for  a  religious  revival 
whilst  the  war  continued.  Many  of  our  young  men,  besides, 
were  either  in  the  camp  or  in  the  field  ;  and  few  families  were 
free  from  the  natural  anxieties  of  parental  and  fraternal  love. 
Newspapers  of  all  kinds  were  eagerly  read  and  ransacked  — 
political  lectures  were  attended  by  vast  numbers  —  and  the  in- 
fluence of  Gospel  truth  was  greatly  counteracted  by  the  in- 
cessant eagerness  for  news,  and  the  secular  current  of  conversa- 
tion even  on  the  holy  Sabbath. 

"  In  September  last,  he  exchanged,  by  request,  with  Mr. 
Haskell,  of  East  Boston,  and  had  his  attention  called  to  the 
work  of  revival  then  in  progress  in  Salem  Street  Church.  He 
attended  several  of  the  meetings,  ppoke  at  two  of  them,  and, 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  229 

on  his  return,  reported  to  his  people  the  facts  tliat  had  come 
under  his  own  oljservation.  An  intelligent  member  of  Salem 
Street  Church  kept  him  informed  of  events  connected  with  the 
work  as  they  occurred,  and  tlie6e,dulj  reported  by  him,  fanned 
the  desire  of  a  similar  work  amongst  ourselves. 

''  Soon  after  the  pastor's  return  from  Boston,  he  learned  that 
Mr.  E.  P.  Ilammond  had  been  invited  by  a  young  clergyman  of 
this  city  to  spend  a  week  with  his  congregation.  The  invita- 
tion was  accepted.  Mr.  Hammond  spoke  each  evening  through- 
out the  week,  and,  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  his  labors, 
much  good,  it  is  confidently  believed,  was  done.  The  pastor  of 
the  Second  Church  attended  some  of  the  meetings,  encouraged 
his  people  also  to  attend,  and  eventually  suggested  an  invitation 
to  Mr.  Hammond  to  labor  in  the  Second  Parish. 

"  There  has,  since,  been  Divine  service  in  our  church  for 
thirty-one  successive  evenings  —  the  interest  still  continuing 
unabated  —  and  great  numbers  having  expressed  the  hope  that 
they  have  passed  from  death  unto  life.  In  all  but  six  of  these 
meetings  the  pastor  has  taken  an  active  part.  He  was  greatly 
assisted  and  encouraged  by  a  visit  of  several  days,  including  a 
Sabbath,  from  yourself,  whose  ministrations  were  so  much 
blessed  as  to  induce  a  unanimous  request  from  the  brethren  of 
the  church  for  a  'second  benefit.'  Several  other  ministerial 
brethren  have  kindly  aided  occasionally  in  the  public  services. 
With  the  exception  of  ten  days'  absence,  Mr.  E.  P.  Hammond 
has  been  indefatigable  in  his  labors.  To  his  honor  be  it  spoken, 
he  has,  in  no  instance,  attempted  to  invade  the  prerogatives  of 
the  pastor  —  has  readily  adopted  every  practical  suggestion  as 
to  methods  of  procedure  —  and  has  proved  himself,  in  all 
respects,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed.  The  seal 
of  Divine  approval  has  been  most  unequivocally  aflSxed  to  his 
unwearied  labors.  Many  of  our  Sabbath  School  pupils,  es- 
pecially of  the  adult  classes  —  already  well  instructed  in  Di- 
vine truth,  have  sprung  at  once  into  vigorous  vitality.      Young 


230  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

Leads  of  families,  having  given  themselves  to  the  Lord  —  haye 
reared  their  domestic  altars,  and  resolved,  in  the  strength  of 
Divine  grace,  never  to  suffer  the  fire  to  go  out.  A  pastor's 
Bible-class  —  designed  especially  for  young  converts,  —  is  now 
organized  and  in  healthful  operation.  The  members  of  the 
church  are  generally  quickened  and  revived,  and  very  many  of 
them  taken  an  active  part  in  the  inquiry  meeting,  which  is 
held  at  the  close  of  every  evening  service.  A  daily  prayer- 
meeting  has  been  held  at  3  P.  M.  since  the  commencement  of 
this  work. 

"  I  must,  as  yet,  say  nothing  as  to  numbers,  though,  after 
the  most  careful  and  cautious  scrutiny,  there  will,  doubtless,  be 
a  large  accession  to  the  church.  Meanwhile,  the  work  of  con- 
version is  going  on,  and  the  influence  of  the  movement  is  be- 
ginning to  be  felt  by  other  congregations  in  the  city  and 
vicinity. 

"  Pray  for  us,  dear  Brother,  that  the  Word  of  the  Lord  may 
have  free  course  and  be  glorified. 

*'  Many  sheets  might  be  filled  with  accounts  of  specific  cases, 
but  these,  for  the  present,  I  reserve. 

Yours  most  fraternally, 

J.  J.  Carruthbrs." 

John  Neal,  Esq.,  whose  name  is  familiar  to  the 
literary  world,  wrote  thus  for  the  Portland  Tran- 
script : 

THE  RELIGIOUS    AWAKENING  HEBE. 

"  Qui  S' excuse  S^ accuse. " 

"  No  large  moral  movement  ever  happens  without  the  clearly 
seen  co-operation  of  man.  What  we  call  agency  or  instrumen- 
tality is  God's  way  of  working  through  man  upon  man.  Let 
lis  not  be  astonished,  therefore,  when  God,  who  is  no  respecter 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  231 

of  persons,  appeal's  to  be  working  with  instruments  which  we, 
in  our  wisdom,  should  never  have  thought  of,  perhaps,  nor  ever 
have  supposed  fitted  for  the  work  —  little  children,  or  unedu- 
cated men  and  women,  for  example. 

"  Of  one  thing  we  may  be  certain  ;  that  what  God  has  to  do 
with  man,  he  will  do  in  his  own  way ;  and  we  may  be  equally 
sure  that  what  man  has  to  do  with  God,  must  be  done,  always^ 
in  God's  way,  whatever  man  may  think,  or  believe,  or  hope; 
and  that  God  will  never  change  his  declared  plan  for  our  ac- 
commodation, whether  reasonable  or  unreasonable  in  our  judg- 
ment. 

"  There  are  many  about  us,  who  are  always  willing  enough 
and  ready  enough  to  go  to  heaven  —  but  they  insist  on  going 
in  their  own  way.  They  would  like  to  be  safe,  here  and  here- 
after ;  but  they  have  a  plan  of  their  own,  which  however  rea- 
sonable and  proper,  they  will  never  find  to  be  God's  plan. 

"If  they  pray,  their  prayers  are  conditional.  They  insist 
upon  understanding  the  why  and  the  wherefore  of  His  pur- 
poses. They  require  to  be  satisfied  upon  every  point,  before 
they  will  consent  to  be  saved.  "What  should  we  think  of  a  man 
swimming  for  his  life,  who  should  insist  upon  a  clear  explana- 
tion of  the  Westminister  catechism,  or  the  mysteries  of  free 
agency,  before  he  would  consent  to  grasp  the  outstretched  hand 
of  a  fellow  man,  safe  ashore,  standing  perhaps  on  the  rock  of 
ages? 

"  There  is  a  story  told  of  an  English  sailor,  who  having 
tumbled  overboard,  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  got  astride  of  a  hen- 
coop, which  had  been  thrown  him,  and  floated  off  into  tho 
darkness.  At  midnight  a  large  ship  came  by  and  a  voice  hailed 
him  in  French.  Not  understanding  such  lingo,  he  refused  to 
go  aboard,  and  stuck  to  his  hen-coop.  What  became  of  him 
nobody  knows.  Yet  this  poor  sailor  did  only  just  what  thou- 
sands about  us  are  now  doing.  They  will  not  consent  to  go 
into  the  Ark,  but  upon  their  own  terms  ;  forgetting  that  God 


232  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

himself  being  unchangeable,  and  having  once  publiBhed  hifl 
conditions  to  the  Universe,  cannot  save  us,  but  with  our  own 
consent  and  co-operation. 

"  Mr.  Hammond,  of  whose  labors  and  wonderful  success  in 
Scotland,  we  have  been  hearing  so  much — for  the  last  year,  is 
Qow  in  our  very  midst.  And,  if  we  may  judge  by  what  we 
have  heard  and  seen  for  ourselves,  here,  God  is  with  him.  Let 
those  who  doubt,  while  refusing  to  see  for  themselves,  and  let 
all  who  insist  upon  the  Holy  Spirit  working  in  a  pattern,  al" 
ways  in  one  way,  which  is  always  their  own  way,  bear  in  mind 
that  God  never  deals  with  any  two  of  his  creatures  in  precisely 
the  same  way,  for  any  purpose.  He  seems  to  reverence  their 
individuality,  and  leaves  them  to  act  here  as  they  are  to  be 
tried  hereafter,  separately.  Let  all  such  gainsayers,  whether  in 
the  church  or  out,  therefore,  go  and  see  for  themselves,  and  pre- 
pare to  answer  for  themselves,  if  they  stand  in  the  way,  or  try 
to  discourage  others,  or  even  refuse  to  co-operate  with  all  their 
strength,  humbly,  though  heartily." 

Mr.  Neal  narrates  a  touching  case  of  conversion 
in  another  communication,  which,  on  account  of  its 
suggestive  interest,  we  give  entire: 

"  After  seeing  and  hearing  for  myself,  I  have  become  satis- 
fied that  the  late  awakening  here  is  worthy  of  devout  attention. 
I  have  been  present  at  some  of  the  inquiry  meetings,  and  have 
talked  face  to  face  with  weeping  adults  and  joyful  children, 
and,  for  one,  am  satisfied,aB  I  have  said  before.  Take  one  of  many 
cases  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  and  say  what  our  duty 
is.  Are  we  to  stand  aloof  or  aloft,  because  God  hath  a  way  of 
His  own?  or  because  man  may  seem  to  be  unreasonably 
earnest?  j.  n. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  service  last  evening,  I  noticed  a  young 
lady  just  before  me, who  seemed  undecided  about  remfiining  to 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  233 

the  inquiry  meeting.  Once  or  twice  she  rose  to  go,  but  finally 
eat  down.  When  you  asked  those  who  felt  that  they  loved 
Jesus  to  rise  and  sing  a  hymn,  she  kept  her  seat.  After  the 
hymn  I  leaned  forward  and  asked  her,  if  she  could  not  say  she 
iOved  Jesus.  She  burst  into  tears.  I  then  asked  her,  if  she  did 
not  wish  to  become  a  Christian.  '  Yes,'  she  said,  '  but  /shall 
never  be  a  Christian.  I  begged  her  not  to  say  so,  and  tried  to 
lead  her  to  the  Saviour,  by  telling  her  how  ready  he  was  to  re- 
ceive her,  that  he  was  more  than  willing,  that  he  was  waiting 
with  outstretched  arms  to  take  her.  But  she  said,  '  No,  Christ 
would  never  take  Aer,  she  had  rejected  him  for  three  years. 
She  had  once  had  serious  impressions,  but  had  stifled  them. 
During  the  last  revival  she  had  been  somewhat  concerned  for 
her  soul's  salvation,  but  had  danced  all  night  afterwards,  and 
since  then  had  never  felt  any  further  anxiety  about  it.  For 
three  years  she  had  been  treading  Christ  under  foot,  and  in  all 
that  time  had  never  offered  a  single  prayer,  even  of  words,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  heart.  You  came  and  talked  and  prayed 
with  her,  but  still  her  answer  was,  '  I  can  never  be  a  Christian. 
Jesus  will  never  take  me.'  You  asked  her  if  she  thought  she 
was  a  greater  sinner  than  Paul.  She  said  *  Yes,  for  Paul 
thought  he  was  doing  God  service,  but  she  knew  she  was  not.' 
She  had  ridiculed  religion  and  these  meetings,  and  came  only 
to  make  sport  of  them.  You  prayed  with  her  again  and  left 
her  with  those  who  tried  to  persuade  her  to  give  her  heart  to 
Jesus  then ;  but  she  could  not  believe,  and  went  home  sorrow- 
ing still. ' 

"  The  next  day  she  was  invited  to  go  to  the  afternoon  prayer 
meeting.  She  went,  and  her  countenance  still  indicated  her 
deep  distress.  She  said  she  had  passed  a  sleepless  night,  but 
could  obtain  no  relief.  When  you  spoke  with  her  after  meet- 
ing, she  begged  you,  if  you  ever  knew  any  one  anxious  for  the 
first  time,  to  entreat  them,  from  her,  not  to  delay,  but  to  come 
to  Jesus  then.     She  thought  Jesus  would  have  taken  her  at 


234  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

first,  but  now,  it  was  too  late.  She  had  said,  that  only  weak- 
minded,  nervous  people  were  affected  by  this  revival;  now  God 
was  showing  her  her  condition,  but  would  not  save  her.  She 
still  insists  that  she  can  never  be  saved  :  that  she  is  willing  to 
give  up  everything,  but  can  never  be  a  Christian. 

*'  God  grant  that  she  may  find  that  it  is  her  own  heart  that 
is  keeping  her  from  her  Saviour,  and  that  she  may  yet  find 
peace  in  believing." 

"Sequel.  —  The  sequel  to  the  case  of  the  young  lady  who 
felt  that  Christ  would  never  receive  her  is  most  interesting.  She 
remained  in  that  state  of  mind  for  two  or  three  days  and  nights, 
unable  to  sleep  or  feel  any  peace  till  one  night  she  remembered 
this  verse,  —  '  If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness.' 
Light  broke  in  upon  her.  Yes,  she  said,  I  will  trust  Him.  1 
will  believe.  I  have  confessed  my  sins,  and  — '  He  is  faithftil 
and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins.'  Oh!  I  will  believe  Him.  I 
will  take  Him  at  His  word.  She  had  begun  to  trust  Him,  and 
she  was  very  happy  in  doing  so  ;  and,  although  she  feels  that 
she  does  not  love  Him  as  she  ought,  and  sometimes  doubts 
whether  Christ  has  really  received  her,  yet  she  feels  that  Jesus 
is  her  only  refuge,  and  she  is  determined  to  try  and  serve  Him, 
hoping  that  she  may  eventually  find  that  peace  and  joy  which 
makes  the  Christian's  life  a  heaven  begun  below." 

He  adds  another  touching  case. 

**  A  father  and  mother  had  long  been  praying  for  the  conver- 
sion of  their  son,  a  young  man  of  some  nineteen  years.  When 
the  revival  began  in  the  old  Payson  Church,  an  unusual  spirit  of 
prayer  was  given  them.  Their  wrestling  seemed  now  to  have 
reference  to  the  glory  of  God.  They  saw  their  boy  was  re- 
belling against  the  government  of  a  just  God.  Though  willing 
to  attend  any  of  the  meetings,  he  fled  from  those  who  would 
speak  to  him  of  Jesus.  But  prayer  was  not  lost.  The  Holy 
Spirit  was  at  work.    The  spoken  word  reached  his  heart. 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  235 

"  Sabbath  evening,  Nov.  24,  1861,  hundreds  wore  unable  to 
find  standing  room.  At  the  close  of  the  first  meeting,  as  some 
retired,  a  fevr  of  those  about  the  door  were  able  to  pass  in  to 
the  inquiry  meeting.  Among  the  number  was  the  son  of  these 
praying  parents.  He  met  Mr.  H.  at  the  door,  and,  instead  of 
shunning  him  as  before,  he  seized  his  hand,  and  exclaimed,  *  I 
have  found  Jesus.'  '  How  do  you  know?  '  Oh,  I  know  I  have. 
I  know  I  love  him.  I  have  just  given  myself  to  him."  In  two 
minutes  more  he  was  standing  up  in  the  centre  of  the  house  and 
telling  of  the  wondrous  change. 

"  When  he  had  finished,  his  father,  an  office  bearer  in  the 
church,  attempted  to  thank  God,  but  his  tears  came  faster  than 
his  words.  He  seemed  to  forget  that  every  eye  of  that  great  au- 
dience was  resting  upon  him,£i8  he  pressed  his  way  to  the  embrace 
of  his  son,  and  throwing  his  arms  around  his  neck,  he  kissed 
him.  It  was  a  thrilling  scene  which  brought  tears  to  the  eyes 
of  many." 

An  editor,  who  referred  his  decided  religious  im- 
pressions to  the  scene,  wrote  a  sketch  illustrating 
Mr.  H*s  influence  over  children,  which,  as  a  pleasing 
link  in  events  of  the  awakening,  we  subjoin : 

"  About  seven  o'clock,  on  a  clear  still  evening,  we  heard  the 
voices  of  children  in  sweet  and  silvery  tones,  apparently  led  by 
a  strong  masculine  voice.  We  listened  for  a  moment  in  surprise 
and  wonder,  and  then  made  our  way  in  the  direction  from 
whence  the  sound  proceeded,  and  in  front  of  the  Custom  House, 
found  the  fervid  preacher  engaged  in  solemn  exhortation  to  sin- 
ners, the  singing  having  ceased.  The  scene  was  an  unusual  one 
for  the  staid  and  quiet  city  of  Portland,  and  we  were  in  doubt 
for  a  few  moments  as  to  how  so  unusual  an  occurrence  would  be 
received.  In  a  short  time, a  large  number  had  gathered  to  hear 
the  powerful  and  eloquent  appeal  of  the  man  of  God,    We  were 


236  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

apprehensive  of  scoffing  and  jeers  from  the  *  roughs,'  who  wUl 
always  be  found  on  such  an  occasion  ;  but  not  a  word  or  a  lisp 
did  we  hear  to  break  the  solemnities  of  the  hour.  Every  one 
was  deeply,  seriously  interested ;  and  we  doubt  not,  that  some 
who  were  present  were  made  fully  and  sensibly  aware  of  their 
sinful  condition,  during  the  few  minutes  exhortation  of  the 
earnest  and  sincere  man  who  addressed  them.  Mr.  Hammond 
was  to  preach  that  evening  in  the  Second  Parish  Church,  and 
his  design  was  to  induce  all  who  could  to  go.  After  his  entreaty 
was  ended,  he  broke  forth  into  the  well  known  hymn — 

*  Worthy  the  Lamb,  &o,' 
in  which  he  was  joined  by  the  children  with  which  he  was  sur- 
rounded, and  moved  forward  to  the  church,  the  whole  singing 
joyfully,  and  making  melody  that  we  have  rarely  heard  sur- 
passed. The  scene  was  novel  and  startling,  and  the  earnest  ap- 
peal was  responded  to  with  great  unanimity ;  hardly  a  man  who 
had  witnessed  the  occurrence  failed  to  accept  the  invitation  of 
the  preacher,  and  follow  him  to  the  church  to  listen  further." 

Would  the  proposed  limits  of  this  volume  permit, 
we  should  extend  the  pages  of  experience  as  record- 
ed by  converted  persons,  in  which  the  work  of 
the  Spirit  is  clearly  seen,  convincing  of  sin,  and  re- 
vealing its  glorious  remedy,  —  the  blood  of  atone- 
ment. A  recent  visit  and  conversation  with  the 
^  able  and  excellent  Pastor  of  the  Second  Parish  con- 
firms the  estimate,  formed  at  the  time  of  the  "  gra- 
cious rain ; " — watering  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  and 
spreading  bloom  and  fruitfulness  over  it,  to  the  abid- 
ing joy  of  His  people,  and  the  glory  of  the  reigning 
ImmanueL 


CHAPTEK  Vm. 

A  week  in  Bethel — An  unusual  scene — Qorham,  among  the  White 
Mountains— A  neiy  Church— Bath— Statement  of  Rev.  J.  0.  Fiske 
—  South  Paris  —  Farmington. 

At  Bethel,  a  romantic  town  twenty  miles  from  the 
base  of  the  White  Mountains,  and  a  place  of  consid- 
erable resort  in  the  summer ; — in  the  autumn  of  1861, 
an  increased  spirit  of  prayer  for  a  refreshing  had 
been  felt  by  a  few  Christians,  and  souls  were  con- 
verted. Having  visited  the  scene  of  a  revival,  the 
pastor  returned  more  deeply  moved  in  behalf  of  his 
own  people,  and  called  a  company  of  Christians 
together  to  meet  Mr.  Hammond.  The  resolve  was 
unanimous  to  enter  the  harvest  field,  securing  the 
help  of  the  Evangelist.  A  meeting  was  held  of 
great  power  ;  the  people  were  on  their  faces  before 
God. 

The  pastor  wrote,  early  in  January,  after  the 
daily  meetings  had  been  in  progress  nearly  a  week, 
to  the  Christian  Mirror  : 

"  God  is  pouring  out  His  Spirit  upon  us  in  Bethel.  Many 
hope  that  they  have  been  '  born  again.'  Many  are  asking 
what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved.  Our  meetings  are  solemn, 
well  attended,  well  sustained  by  the  prayers  and  efforts  of  God's 


238  THE  HARVEST  WORK. 

people,  We  find  Mr.  H.  a<^evoted  Bervant  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  a  man  of  prayer  that  prevails  with  God,  &c.  He  will 
remain  with  us  but  a  few  days  longer,  but  the  prayers  of  many 
will  follow  him  when  he  goes  from  us,  that  he  may  be  still 
more  successful  in  leading  souls  to  our  ever  blessed  Redeemer. 
Happy  is  the  pastor  who  can  eecure  the  labors  of  this  humble 
servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 

In  the  same  paper,  we  have  these  additional  and 
interesting  communications : 

'<  Bethel,  Jan.  10, 1862. 

.  ..."  Our  meetings  have  been,  and  still  are,  deeply 
interesting.  People  come  from  miles  around  to  hear  Mr.  Ham- 
mond, and  many  are  now  rejoicing  in  Christ,  who  before  were 
indifferent,  or  entirely  thoughtless,  or  who  made  sport  of  relig- 
ion, and  first  attended  the  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  making 
sport. 

"  But  they  found  themselves  sporting  on  the  brink  of  eternal 
woe,  and  have  fled  to  Christ  for  refuge. 

"  I  will  mention  a  few  cases  of  conversion,  hoping  they  will 
interest  you,  as  it  has  pleased  God  thus  to  work  through  Mr. 
Hammond,  whom  we  all  love. 

"  Mr.  C.  long  ago  thought  he  was  born  again,  but  he  was 
either  deceived,  or  a  great  wanderer.  He  had  long  been  feeding 
on  husks,  and  would  not  return  to  his  Father's  house.  He  thus 
related  the  manner  in  which  he  was  brought  *  home ' : 

"'lattended  the  meeting  first  out  of  curiosity.  For  two  or 
three  evenings  I  was  not  deeply  impressed.  I  thought  Mr.  H. 
a  fanatic  or  insane.  But  one  evening  there  came  a  change.  He 
requested  that  the  hymn  commencing — 

*  The  hill  of  Zion  yields 
A  thousand  sacred  sweets,* 

ehould  be  sung.    He  said  :  '  Those  who  are  Christians  may  rise 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  239 

and  sing.  Those  who  are  not  Christians  may  remain  on  their 
seats.  Now,  if  any  of  you  who  are  not  Christians  rise,  you  will 
tell  a  lie.  If  any  of  you  who  are  Christians  remain  on  your 
seats,  you  will  tell  a  lie.' 

"'I was  very  angry.  I  thought  he  had  no  right  to  say  who 
should  sing,  and  who  should  not.  I  took  my  hat  and  was  going 
out.  I  had  no  idea  of  being  controlled  by  him.  Then  the 
thought,  '  God  drew  the  Hne  before  he  did,'  entered  my  heart 
quickly,  as  though  a  dagger  had  pierced  me.  I  sat  down,  still 
feeling  very  stubborn. 

"  '  That  night  the  Holy  Spirit  strove  with  me.  I  felt  that  I 
was  a  great  sinner.  At  the  inquiry  meeting  Mr.  Hammond 
talked  and  prayed  with  me.  The  burden  was  very  heavy,  and 
did  not  leave  me  till  I  resolved  to  ffive  up  all  for  Christ.  Then 
I  was  happy. 

'**Iwent  home  one  night,  feeling  it  to  be  a  duty  to  pray  in 
my  family.  I  had  never  done  so,  and  I  shrank  from  it.  But, 
when  I  went  in,  the  way  was  made  easy.  My  little  Clara  ften 
years  old,)  brought  me  the  Bible,  and  asked  me  to  read.  She 
had  been  requested  so  to  do  by  her  mother,  who  was  a  Chris- 
tian, and  I  could  not  refuse.  I  read  and  prayed,  my  wife 
prayed,  eldest  daughter  (fifteen  years  old,)  and  my  young  son 
prayed,  and  little  Clara  repeated  the  Lord's  prayer  !  It  was  the 
most  solemn  prayer  meeting,  and  at  the  same  time  the  happiest, 
that  ever  I  attended.  I  with  my  three  children  had  found  Jesus 
within  one  week !  ' 

"  In  this  beautiful  manner  was  the  family  altar  set  up  in  a 
home  where  prayer  was  not  wont  to  be  made  except  by  the 
mother  in  secret. 

"  Mr.  R.  says :  *  I  did  not  at  first  attend  the  meetings.  I 
thought  I  had  been  about  the  world  a  little  too  much,  to  be 
humbugged  by  such  a  man  as  Mr.  Hammond.  But  at  last  I 
went  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  I  sat  directly  in  front  of  him, 
that  I  might  look  up  kito  hie  face.     I  was  very  bold.     I  looked 


240  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

him  steadily  in  the  eye.  I  defied  him  to  move  me.  He  mad» 
one  of  his  thrilling  appeals  to  sinners.  I  was  not  moved,  but 
I  knew  I  was  a  sinner,  and  thought  perhaps  that  I  ought  to  feel 
it.  So  I  prayed  that  I  might  feel  it  just  a  little.  I  did  not 
want  to  feel  very  bad.  But  I  got  more  than  I  bargained  for. 
I  not  only  felt  that  I  was  a  sinner,  but  that  I  was  a  lost  sinner. 
I  felt  black  through  and  through.  I  was  perfectly  wretched 
for  two  or  three  days.  At  last  I  found  I  could  do  nothing  for 
myself  ;  that  I  could  not  save  myself.  I  felt  that  Christ  must 
do  all  for  me ;  that  he  was  standing  near  to  take  me.  So  I 
reached  out  my  hand  and  said,  *  Here  Jesus,  I  am,  vile  and  full 
of  sin.  Take  me,  just  as  I  am,  do  with  me  what  thou  wilt. 
I  am  lost  without  thee.  Take  me  and  never  leave  nor  forsake 
me.' 

"  *  Jesus  took  hold  of  my  hand,  and  has  not  let  go.  He  has 
led  me  ever  since. 

*'  *  I  have  left  off  doing  anything  of  myself.  He  does  all  for 
me.  At  first  I  was  tempted,  and  for  a  moment  let  go  his  hand ; 
and  then  the  thought  came  again,  '  I  am  nothing  —  I  can  do 
nothing  —  He  must  do  all ;  and  the  hand  of  my  spirit  reached 
out  and  took  his  hand,  and  T  have  been  perfectly  happy  ever 
since. 

"  'Why,  I  never  knew  what  those  hymns  meant  before,  never 
knew  what  young  converts  meant  when  they  told  about  the  love 
of  God  in  their  hearts.  Now  I  know.  I  thought  I  was  a 
Christian  before.  But  I  never  before  knew  what  it  was  to  be 
born  again,  what  it  was  to  love  God.  I  must  have  been  de- 
ceived.' 

"  Speaking  of  the  young  mens'  prayer  meeting,  which  was  or- 
ganized last  Sabbath  afternoon  he  says  : 

"  'We have  had  a  beautiful  meeting.  At  first  we  did  not 
know  what  to  say  or  what  to  do.  It  was  the  first  meeting  of  the 
kind  many  of  us  had  ever  attended,  and  we  felt  that  we  could 
not  do  anything.    I  suppose  God  made  us  feel  so,  and  afterwards 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  241 

he  showed  us  what  to  do,  and  put  words  into  our  mouths,  and 
we  had  a  glorious  meeting.  I  suppose  this  will  be  the  way  all 
along.  God  will  first  show  us  that  we  can  do  just  nothing  at 
all,  and  then  he  will  show  us  how  to  do  in  Christ's  strength, 
what  he  has  for  us  to  do.' 

"Mr.R.  's  faith  is  beautiful,  so  childlike.  I  think  before,  he 
was  very  proud,  perhaps  self-righteous.  He  is  completely 
changed.  He  has  become  '  as  a  little  child.'  He  is  now  labor- 
ing earnestly,  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 

"  Mr.  B.  says  :  *  I  was  requested  to  meet  Mr.  Hammond  at 
the  depot,  and  conduct  him  to  his  boarding-place.  I  was  angry. 
I  did  not  want  him  to  come  here.  I  did  not  want  a  revival. 
But  I  could  not  avoid  going  for  him.  Sunday  evening,  when  he 
made  one  of  his  earnest  appeals  to  sinners,  I  was  ready  to  thrust 
him  out  of  the  house.  But  when  Mr.  Wheelwright,  our  pastor, 
rose  and  confirmed  all  he  said,  I  thought  1  should  sink.  Con- 
victions came  upon  me  thick  and  fast.  I  was  miserable,  and  not 
till  I  gave  my  heart  to  Jesus  did  I  find  peace.  To-night  I  stand 
here  free  !  This  has  been  the  happiest  day  of  my  life.  And  I 
will  say  to  my  young  friends,  come  to  Jesus !  Come  now  — 
just  now  !     You  will  never  regret  it.     Come,  come,  comb  ! !  * 

Mrs. thus  found  the  Saviour  : 

"  *I attended  meetings  at  first  without  receiving  any  particular 
impressions ;  but  on  Sunday  evening  I  was  a  little  more  interest- 
ed. My  husband  noticed  my  serious  countenance,  and  determin- 
ed in  his  heart  to  laugh  me  out  of  all  serious  impressions.  But 
I  had  experienced  no  particular  change,  and  I  told  him  so.  But 
in  the  night  I  awoke  with  a  great  burden  upon  me.  I  felt  that 
1  was  a  sinner,  and  I  longed  for  holiness.  I  wanted  Christ.  I 
longed  for  the  Sabbath  morning  to  dawn  as  calmly  as  it  did  in 
days  of  childhood.  I  longed  for  the  holy  Sabbath  stillness  which 
seemed  so  sacred  to  me  years  ago.  And  I  prayed  that  my  sins 
might  be  forgiven,  and  felt  happier,  and  then  fell  asleep. 

"  When  I  awoke,  morning  had  dawned  ;  and  the  stillness  wot 


242  THE   TTAKVP:Sr   WOKK 

lioly.  The  sacredness  did  return.  T  roused  my  husband,  and 
asked  liim  if  it  did  not  seem  different  to  him.  But  he  could 
perceive  no  cliangc.  I  went  to  the  window.  The  sun  was  just 
rising.     A  halo  of  glory  seemed  to  surround  all  things. 

'**  The  beauty  of  the  scene  thrilled  my  soul  through  and 
through.  Everything  seemed  changed — so  much  more  beauti- 
ful than  ever  before.  I  was  happy.  My  soul  was  at  rest,  and 
in  harmony  with  all  God's  works.  My  husband  looked  at  me. 
I  suppose  he  saw  the  change  in  my  countenance,  and  said  : 

** '  Do  you  really  believe?  '  and  by  the  grace  of  God  I  wa« 
enabled  to  say  — '  I  do  —  I  do ! '  Since  then  my  husband  and 
liis  daughter  have  both  found  Jesus,  and  it  seems  as  thougli  we 
had  just  began  to  live.' 

"  As  she  told  this  her  face  was  radiant  with  liappiness,  and  I 
could  not  doubt  that  she  had  found  the  *  pearl  of  great  price.' 

"  A  number  of  young  men  who  went  to  inake  sport  were  ar- 
rested ))y  the  power  of  God's  Spirit,  and  have  come  to  Jesus, 
and  are  completely  changed.  I  wish  I  could  have  room  to  tell 
you  more  ;  but  this  is  enough  to  show  you  how  wonderfully 
God  has  been  working  here. 

"  If  we  could  only  retain  the  influence  of  tlie  Holy  Spirit,  in 
the  great  measure  in  which  it  has  been  poured  out  upon  us  dur- 
ing the  last  two  weeks,  this  would  be  a  '  Bethel '  indeed.  Pray 
for  us  that  the  work  may  go  on." 

The  Independent,  of  New  York,  published  the 
following,  from  a  physician,  formerly  of  that  city : 

"  Hundreds  remain  for  the  inquiry  meetings.  Weeping  is 
often  heard  in  different  parts  of  the  Church,  and  large  numbers, 
who  but  a  few  nights  ago  were  deeply  convinced  of  sin,  are  now 
rejoicing  in  the  love  of  their  first  espousals. 

*'  Yesterday  afternoon  our  people,  of  all  denominations, were 
Been  flocking  to  the  Universalist  Church  to  listen  to  a  '  discussion 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  243 

on  the  subject  of  regeneration,'  but  as  the  Univerealist  minister 
aflSrmed  his  belief  in  the  necessity  of  the  new  birth,  there  was 
no  dispute,  but  a  most  solemn  and  impressive  meeting.  Mr. 
Hammond  often  repeated  the  words,  '  ye  must  be  born  again,' 
and  during  his  address  the  tears  in  the  eyes  of  not  a  few  indicat- 
ed, that  the  Holy  Spirit  was  leading  some  to  feel  the  desperate 
wickedness  of  the  heart.  Much  prayer  had  been  offered  for  a 
blessing  upon  the  meeting,  and  the  children  of  God  felt  it  had 
not  been  in  vain." 

Rev.  Mr.  Wheelright,  who  had  a  very  deep  ex- 
perience of  the  law  and  Gospel  of  Christ,  at  one  of 
the  meetings  overpowered  with  a  view  of  the  sin- 
ner's final  doom,  gave  remarkable  force  to  other 
exhibitions  of  this  awful  reality,  by  the  weeping 
testimony  with  which  he  sustained  the  most  startling 
presentations  of  a  scriptural  message,  from  which 
there  is  a  liability  to  recoil,  by  both  preacher  and 
hearer.  With  him  anxious  sinners  found  no  refuge, 
no  quarter,  as  they  sometimes  do  under  Christian 
influence.     The  church  also,   stood  by  the  pastor. 

From  Bethel  Mr.  Hammond  went  to  Gorham,  a 
village  among  the  White  Hills,  —  "  peace  reposing 
in  the  bosom  of  strength  "  —  where  the  Rev.  Geo. 
F.  Tewksbury,  was  laboring  without  a  sanctuary 
and  without  a  church. 

Soon  after  Mr.  T.  wrote  to  the  Mirror  these  hope- 
ful words : 

«  Gorham,  N.  H.,  Jan.  11,  1862. 

"The  work  of  the  Lord  is  evidently  revived  in  Gorh&m, 
N.  H.    A  series  of  religious  meetings  have  been  held  during  the 


244  THE  HARVEST  WCKK 

past  week,  every  afternoon  and  evening,  with  increasing  interest 
and  encouragement.  Bro.  Hammond  has  been  laboring  with  us 
most  faithfully  and  earnestly,  and  his  labors  have  not  been  in 
vain.  As  the  result,  many  are  awakened  and  some  are  re- 
joicing in  hope  as  new-born  souls.  The  firsu  cases  of  hope  were 
in  the  Sabbath  school,  where  the  interest  commenced.  Profess- 
ing Christians  also  are  quickened,and  much  encouraged  to  re- 
newed prayer  and  effort,  working  together  in  a  spirit  of  union 
and  harmony.  The  meetings  are  crowded  every  evening,  and 
the  public  mind  is  generally  stirred.  And  such  is  the  spirit  of 
inquiry  awakened,  that  many  remain  at  the  close  of  the  meeting 
to  be  conversed  with  on  the  interests  of  their  souls. 

"  The  prayers  of  your  Christian  readers  are  earnestly  desired 
in  behalf  of  this  place,  where  so  many  of  the  people  have  been, 
and  still  are,  under  the  poisonous  influence  of  infidelity  and 

false  teaching. 

'<  Yours  truly, 

"  G.  F.  Tewksbubt." 

As  the  result  of  the  merciful  visitation  of  the 
Spirit,  a  church  has  been  formed,  and  a  neat,  pleas- 
ant temple  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Him,  "  who 
touches  the  hills  and  they  melt,  who  taketh  up  the 
isles  as  a  very  little  thing." 

We  select  the  narrative  of  a  conversion  very  clear 
and  striking : — 

»'  When  you  came  to  Gorham,  last  winter,  I  was  unable  to 
attend  the  first  meetings.  This  I  regretted  very  much,  for  I 
was  very  desirous  to  hear  what  the  Scotch  preacher  had  to  say. 
Not  that  I  thought  I  might  become  interested  about  my  own 
Boul.  Oh,  Ao.  I  thought  I  was  as  good  as  my  companions, 
and  those  around  me.  I  never  thought  what  a  wicked  heart  I 
had.    One  evening  I  went  to  meeting  with  some  of  my  friends. 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  245 

When  we  entered  they  were  singing,  '  I'm  glad  salvation  is 
free.'  I  had  heard  it  sung  a  great  many  times  before,  but 
never  thought  it  meant  anything  in  particular ;  but  then  I  felt 
that  it  meant  a  great  deal.  Salvation  is  free  for  you  and  me, 
for  everybody.  So  strange  that  I  had  never  thought  of  it  be- 
fore. 

"  In  your  discourse  you  repeated  Scripture  ;  one  verse  was, 
*  He  that  believeth  on  Him  is  not  condemned,  but  he  that  be- 
lieveth  not  is  condemned  already.'  'He  that  is  not  with  me  is 
against  me.'  I  never  meant  to  be  against  Jesus,  but  surely  I 
was  not  with  Him. 

"  I  stayed  to  the  inquiry  meeting ;  you  and  several  other 
Christians  talked  with  me  that  night.  I  went  home,  and  to 
rest ;  but  there  was  no  rest  for  me.  I  arose  in  the  morning,  de- 
termined that  there  should  no  one  know  my  feelings.  I  did  not 
want  them  to  think  I  had  any  interest  in  the  meetings.  I  re- 
solved not  to  go  again.  But  the  next  night  I  went  agam,  in 
hopes  that  I  should  hear  something  that  would  drive  away  these 
feelings.  At  the  inquiry  meeting,you  prayed  that  thorns  might 
be  planted  in  my  pillow.  I  thought  there  was  no  need  of  that, 
for  they  were  there  already.  1  continued  in  this  state  four 
days.  Oh,  what  a  proud,  rebellious  heart  I  had,  when  Jesus 
was  so  kind,  and  willing  to  wash  all  my  sins  away.  At  last  I 
went  to  my  room,  resolved  not  to  leave  it  until  Jesus  had  for- 
given my  sins.  I  took  my  Bible  and  began  to  read.  I  soon  be- 
came calm  ;  I  prayed  as  I  never  had  before  ;  my  sins  were  aU 
swept  away.  It  was  so  sudden,  I  could  not  realize  my  senses, 
but  I  was  so  happy.  Oh,  I  do  not  wonder  that  you  love  to 
speak  of  that  dear  Jesus  who  died  to  save  us.  I  hope  you  will 
remember  me  in  your  prayers." 

The  city  of  Bath,  whose  population  had  never  the 
reputation  of  being  excitable,  but  staid  in  character, 
and  devoted  to  the  business  of  a  sea-port  town,  was 


246  THE   HARVEST   WOEK 

stirred  with  scenes  of  unearthly  interest,  during  the 
months  of  January  and  February,  1862.  The  be- 
ginning and  phases  of  the  remarkable  religious  in- 
terest is  recorded  by  the  pen  of  the  able  and 
judicious  pastor  of  the  Winter  Street  Church,  Eev. 
J.  O.  Fiske,  in  a  communication  to  the  Christian 
Mirror  : 

"  You  ask  for  Bome  brief  account  of  the  recent  work  of  God's 
grace  in  this  city  ;  and  we  ought  to  be  ready  to  declare  with 
gladness  what  God  has  done  for  our  souls.  I  may  say  then, 
that,  last  autumn,  an  increased  seriousness  was  manifest  in  some 
of  the  congregation,  and  a  more  earnest  prayerfulness  actuated 
many  in  the  church.  In  November, a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer 
was  observed  by  our  church,  with  reference  to  the  state  of  re- 
ligion among  us.  The  public  meeting  that  day,  which  con- 
tinued for  four  hours,  was  largely  attended,  and  will  long  re- 
main as  a  memorable  occasion  of  the  special  presence  and 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  first  week  in  the  year,  we  as- 
sembled with  the  Central  Church  daily,  in  a  prayer-meeting  for 
the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  third  week  in  January, 
there  was  commenced  in  our  church  a  series  of  evening  meet- 
ings, at  which  solemn,  earnest,  pointed  addresses  were  made  by 
Edward  Payson  Hammond.  These  meetings  were  held  unin- 
terruptedly every  evening  for  four  weeks.  In  the  afternoon  a 
prayer-meeting  was  also  held  at  two  o'clock  every  day,  which 
was  continued,  either  in  our  church  or  in  some  of  the  other 
churches  or  vestries  of  the  city,  for  nearly  four  months.  These 
meetings  were  very  largely  attended,  the  house  being  usually, 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  time,  completely  full.  Almost  all 
the  evangelical  ministers  of  the  city  attended  these  meetings, 
and  were  exceedingly  active  and  devoted  in  them.  There  was 
no  denominational  jealousy,  no  friction,  nor  difficulty  of  any 


OF  TUE  HOLY  STIRIT.  247 

kind,growing  out  of  this  union  of  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  sincerity.  At  all  the  evening  meetings,  and  after 
those  in  the  afternoon  to  some  small  extent,  there  were  meet- 
ings for  religious  conversation  and  inquiry.  In  the  evening 
often  five  or  six  hundred  persons,  or  more,  would  remain  for 
these  conversations.  A  portion  of  these  would  often  be  pro- 
fessors of  religion,  conversing,  and  in  quiet  tones  often  praying, 
with  those  who  were  anxiously  asking  what  they  should  do  to 
be  saved.  Some  of  these  inquiry  meetings  presented  scenes  of 
very  solemn  interest.  Many  were  weeping,  many  rejoicing, 
many  anxious,  many  finding  their  Saviour  ready  to  forgive  them 
even  as  they  were  in  the  act  of  prayer.  Prof.  Chadbourne,  of 
Bowdoin  College,  Rev.  Mr.  Carpenter,  of  Houlton,  Rev.  Mr. 
Howard,  of  Farmington,  Rev.  Dr.  Tappan,  and  other  clergymen 
rendered  us  very  valuable  assistance  in  the  midst  of  these 
solemn  scenes, by  their  addresses,  sermons,  prayers  and  conver- 
sations. Twenty-six  heads  of  families,  in  my  own  congregation 
are  among  those  who  have  begun  lately  to  entertain  a  hope  in 
Christ. 

"  From  the  very  first,  special  attention  was  given,in  meetings 
Saturday  and  Wednesday  afternoons,  and  in  the  other  meetings, 
to  the  children.  They  were  all  very  deeply  interested,  and  one 
of  the  best  features  of  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  among  us,  was 
liis  unintermitted  skillful  and  believing  zeal  for  the  conversion 
of  children.  Quite  a  number  of  these  lambs  of,  the  flock  wc 
hope  have  passed  from  deatli  unto  lile,  and  a  few  of  them  be- 
tween the  ages  of  twelve  and  seventeen  years,  have  been  re- 
ceived into  our  church.  No  meetings  that  I  have  ever  attended 
liave  been  more  delightful  and  solemn, than  some  of  these  chil- 
drcns'  meetings. 

"As  the  fruits  of  the  revival,  thirty-two  were  added  to  our 
church  at  the  communion  in  May,  and  twenty-four  more  last 
Sabbath.  AVe  are  expecting  quite  a  number  of  others  on  sub- 
etjqueut  occasions  ;  sume   have  gone  to  otlier  places,  aud  will, 


248  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

I  trust,  become  connected  with  churches  there.  The  Central 
church,  the  two  Methodist  churches,  the  Baptist,  and  the  Free- 
will Baptist  have  all  shared  in  this  work  ;  and  some  of  them 
have  had  large  accessions  to  their  numbers ;  but  I  cannot  now 
speak  with  definiteness  concerning  them.  They  all  feel,  how- 
ever, that  they  have  enjoyed  a  season  of  delightful  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

'*  Christians,  I  think,  have  learned  to  feel  their  personal 
responsibilities  more.  Let  me  assure  you,  it  has  been  no 
feature  of  this  religious  awakening,  that  Christians,  male  or  fe- 
male, were  made  to  feel,  that  they  had  only  to  stand  still,  and  see 
somebody  else  do  the  work  of  the  Lord.  The  deepened  sense 
of  responsibility,  the  earnest  prayerfulness,  the  greater  faith- 
fulness, diligence  and  fertility  in  the  use  of  means  of  grace  on 
the  part  of  Christians  generally,  have  been  among  the  blessed 
characteristics  of  this  revival. 

"  It  has  also  been  a  revival  of  the  straightforward,  unflinch- 
ing, abundant  preaching  of  the  old-fashioned  truths  of  God's 
word.  We  think  God's  word  has  been  honored  ;  and  when  I 
looked  upon  the  crowds  packing  every  pew  and  standing  place 
in  our  church,  as  the  fifth  week  of  our  evening  meetings  open- 
ed, and  all  to  hear  nothing  but  what  all  faithful  ministers  of 
the  gospel  have  always  preached,  I  could  but  think  that  the 
notions  of  &ome,that  these  ancient  doctrines  of  orthodoxy  are 
losing  their  hold  on  the  public  mind,  have  had  their  day,  and 
are  about  run  out,  were  as  well  refuted,  as  we  could  reasonably 
desire.  I  know  of  no  better  proof  of  the  divine  origin  and 
authority  of  the  great  truths  of  evangelical  religion,  which 
some  imagine  are  almost  too  stern  and  awful  to  be  presented, 
except  in  softened  terms,  with  bated  breath,  and  an  apology, 
than  their  power  of  thus  rousing  and  holding  the  undivided  at- 
tention of  a  large  community  like  this,  where  they  are  entirely 
familiar,  and  the  amazing  and  blessed  transformations  of  char- 
acter which  they  effect.     The  sword  of  the  Spirit  is  mightier 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  249 

than  any  human  inventions  :  *  The  foolishness  of  God  is  wiser 
than  men  ; '  and  after  such  scenes  as  we  have  witnessed  here, 
we  all  have  a  re-assured  confidence  that  the  gospel,  as  we  un- 
derstand and  teach  it,  will  yet  he  *  the  power  of  God  and  the 
wisdom  of  God '  unto  the  salvation  of  a  believing  world. 
"  Yours  sincerely, 
Bath,  July  10, 1862.  j.  o.  p." 

We  select  one  or  two  cases  of  experience,  which 
have  already  been  printed,  and  made  useful  in 
awakening  sinners  and  leading  them  to  Jesus  : 

"  One  week  ago  last  Saturday  I  stopped  to  the  inquiry  meet- 
ing, but  did  not  feel  that  I  was  such  a  great  sinner,  and  thought 
I  would  not  be  converted  at  the  time  of  a  revival.  You  spoke  a 
few  kind  words  to  me,  as  did  others,  but  I  went  home  very 
angry.  I  went  again  Sunday  evening,  and  remained  to  the  in- 
quiry meeting  ;  I  was  in  great  distress  of  mind,  but  would  not 
believe  the  blessed  promises.  As  I  left  the  church,  I  requested 
you  to  pray  for  me,  also  dear  Mr.  Page,  and  tried  to  pray  my- 
self, but  found  no  relief.  I  slept  very  little  that  night,  and  was 
in  great  agony  all  the  next  day.  I  wept  until  I  was  entirely 
exhausted.  I  felt  that  I  must  do  something.  I  went  to  Jesus 
and  prayed  Him  to  take  me  jnst  as  1  was,  for  I  could  do  noth- 
ing more,  and  felt  during  the  evening  meeting  that  I  was  for- 
given ;  after  meeting  I  went  to  Mr.  Fiske  and  expressed  my 
faint  hope,  and  besought  him  to  pray  for  me  that  I  might  have 
more  light.  I  felt  at  peace  with  God,  but  did  not  feel  that  per- 
fect happiness.  Wednesday  night  I  was  perfectly  happy  and 
fell  asleep,  seemingly  clasping  Jesus'  hand.  I  feel  that  I  can- 
not praise  the  Lord  enough  for  Hi&  great  mercy  to  me.  I 
tremble  when  I  think  of  the  danger  I  have  escaped,  and  of  the 
many  who  are  yet  travelling  the  broad  road  which  leadeth  tq 
destruction.  Very  truly  yours." 


250  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

Among  the  towns  adjacent  to  the  centers  of 
efforts  and  blessing,  visited  by  evangelical  labors 
and  the  accompanying  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
was  Phipsburg,  a  few  miles  from  Bath.  A  precious 
season  was  enjoyed  in  connection  with  comparative- 
ly little  labor ;  the  outer  wave  of  the  divine  in- 
fluence from  the  Pentecostal  scene.  A  number  of 
sea  captains  are  among  those  rejoicing  in  the  love 
of  Christ. 

The  following  letter  from  one  was  read  in  a  re- 
ligious meeting,  and  from  it  we  are  permitted  to 
make  some  extracts  : 

"  Bath,  March  15th,  1862. 

**  My  dear  Friend,  —  Having  as  I  hope  found  the  Saviour 
precious  to  my  soul,  I  will  attempt  to  give  you  some  account 
of  my  experience.  I  am  now  about  forty-three  years  old,  have 
followed  the  sea  all  of  my  life,  and  like  most  others  of  my  pro- 
fession, have  led  a  very  wicked  life.  I  have  been  deprived  of 
many  of  the  means  of  grace ;  and  others,  that  were  within  my 
reach,  I  have  neglected ;  until  I  grew  to  be  a  very  hardened  sin- 
ner; so  much  so,  that  I  felt  quite  indifferent  to  all  that  concern- 
ed my  immortal  soul,  and  continued  to  live  on  year  after  year 
without  a  thought  of  what  was  to  become  of  it,  when  it  should 
be  summoned  to  leave  this  world. 

"  In  this  state  of  mind  you  found  me,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  meetings  held  in  this  place  the  past  month.  I  attended 
the  meetings  at  first,  not  from  any  desire  to  ].)e  T)cnefited  by 
them,  but  for  novelty  of  hearing  a  strange  preacher,  of  whom  I 
had  heard  so  much,  and  made  up  my  mind, that  you  had  como 
among  us  to  get  up  an  excitement,  and  I  for  one  would  have 
nothing  t3  do  with  it.      Went  home  scolding  about  you,  but 


OP  THE    HOLY  SPIRIT.  251 

Btill  could  not  make  up  my  mind  to  keep  away  from  the  meet- 
ings. Went  again  ;  —  you  came  and  talked  with  me  as  did 
some  of  the  other  ministers  ;  but  all  your  words  at  that  time 
had  no  eflfect  upon  me.  The  next  evening  in  the  inquiry  meet- 
ing, you  came  again  to  me  after  some  conversation,  and  asked 
if  you  should  pray  with  me.  I  gave  consent  but  declined  to 
kneel ;  so  you  prayed  as  we  stood  in  the  pew  —  you  prayed, 
that  the  Lord  would  plant  thorns  in  my  pillow^  so  that  1 
might  not  sleep  until  I  had  given  my  heart  to  Christ.  I 
slept  some  that  night,  but  awoke  many  times  and  felt  of  my 
pillow  to  satisfy  myself,  that  there  were  not  thorns  in  it.  The 
next  evening  I  could  not  resist  going  to  hear  you  again  ;  and,  as 
you  was  addressing  us,  you  presented  the  truth,  that  we,  in  re- 
jecting Christ,  were  guilty  of  the  greatest  sin.  I  had  never 
thought  of  this  before,  and  it  fell  with  crushing  weight  upon 
my  guilty  soul.  I  saw  myself  a  sinner  of  the  deepest  dye,  and 
went  home  that  night  resolved  to  seek  for  mercy.  I  tried  to 
pray,  but  could  not.  My  mouth  was  so  completely  sealed  up 
that  1  could  not  utter  a  word,  and  it  was  not  until  the  next  day 
that  I  could  open  my  mouth  in  prayer  to  God  for  mercy,  and 
even  then  I  could  not  give  myself  up  entirely  to  Christ.  I 
could  not  divest  myself  of  the  idea,  that  I  had  not  something  to 
do  to  make  me  more  acceptable  to  Christ.  This,  of  course, 
kept  me  in  darkness  and  in  sorrow.  About  this  time  our  good 
minister,  Mr.  Fiske,  called  at  my  house,  and,after  praying  with 
me  and  my  family,  proposed  that  I  should  pray  also  ;  this  I  at 
first  declined  doing  ;  but  when  he  told  me  that  he  feared  that  1 
was  not  humble  enough,  after  much  entreaty,  I  made  an  at- 
tempt to  pray,  but  still  no  relief  came  to  me.  I  remained  in 
this  state  a  number  of  days,  and  was  fast  settling  down  in  de- 
Hpair,  when  one  evening,  after  spending  the  whole  afternoon 
upon  my  knees  in  prayer,  I  went  to  church.  Prof.  Chadbournc, 
of  Bowdoin  College,  addressed  us  that  evening,  and,  in  the 
closing  remarks,  when  urging  sinners  to  come  to  Christ,  he  said 


252  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

that  we  should  leave  our  own  strength  behind  and  go  forward 
in  the  strength  of  our  Saviour.  ITelt  this  was  what  bad  kept 
me  from  the  Saviour,  dependence  on  my  own  strength.  I  there 
and  then  as  I  sat  in  my  seat,  yielded  that,  and  all  other  points, 
asked  the  Saviour  to  take  me  just  as  1  was  with  all  my  load 
of  sin  and  guilt.  I  saw  that  God  would  be  just,  if  he  re- 
fused to  accept  me  and  sent  me  down  to  everlasting  woe ;  but 
in  a  moment  I  felt  that  Christ  was  able,  and  would  save  me ; 
and  that  moment  peace  and  joy  took  possession  of  my  soul, 
light  broke  upon  my  darkened  mind,  and  I  felt  that  I  was  in- 
deed 'a  new  creature.' 

"  It  is  now  about  six  weeks  since  I  felt  that  I  had  a  hope  in 
Christ,  and  I  can  truly  say,  that  they  have  been  the  happi- 
est weeks  of  my  life.  I  have  no  wish  to  turn  back  to  the 
world,  for  I  feel  that  1  have  left  nothing  there  worth  going 
back  for,  but  I  hope  by  God's  grace  to  press  onward  in  the 
path  of  Christian  duty,  and  finally  gain  the  reward  promised 
to  those  who  remain  faithful  to  the  end. 

Yours  in  Jesus,  Chas.  N.  Delano.'^ 

A  little  boy  gives  the  story  of  his  conversion  as 
foUovrs  : 

'<  Dear  Mr.  Hammond:  — Two  weeks  ago  last  night  as  I  was 
playing  in  the  street,  three  ladles  came  along,  and  invited  me  to 
go  to  meeting.  I  thought  I  would  go  to  have  some  fun,  and  be 
out  evenings.  That  evening  I  laughed  and  made  sport  of  those 
that  you  were  praying  for,  and  those  that  were  anxious.  I  at- 
tended the  childrens'  meeting  the  next  afternoon,  when  you 
gave  an  invitation  to  those  who  were  anxious  about  their  souls, 
to  stop.  Mr.  Fiske  came  along  and  talked  with  me,  and  you 
came  and  prayed  with  me,  and  I  felt  that  I  was  a  lost  sinner. 
I  went  home  feeling  very  badly  about  my  soul.  I  resolved  to 
T)ray  that  night,  and  I  did.     Sabbath  morning  I  felt  a  great 


OF   THE    HOLY   SPIKIT.  253 

change  in  my  feelings,  and  I  have  felt  happy  ever  since.  I  love 
Jesus.  I  love  to  read  my  Bible.  I  love  to  go  to  meeting.  I 
love  Christians.  But  the  enemy  of  my  soul  tempted  me,  and 
tries  to  lead  me  astray,  but  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  I  shall 
try  and  conquer  and  lead  a  Christian  life." 

South  Paris,  a  village  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Rail- 
road, between  Portland  and  Bethel,  received  a  great 
and  abiding  dispensation  of  the  Spirit,  which,  the 
pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Southworth,  described,  several 
months  after  the  rain  of  God's  mercy  passed  the 
crisis  of  its  fulness  : 

"  Everlasting  praise  belongeth  unto  God  for  this  gracious  vis- 
itation, in  which  a  large  number  of  souls  have  been  hopefully 
brought  to  the  saving  possession  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus. 

"  God  for  months  had  been  preparing  His  people  for  His 
coming.  The  year  1862  was  commenced  with  prayer.  The 
spirit  of  supplication  seemed  to  be  given  in  unusual  measures. 
Meetings  for  conference  and  prayer  were  held  more  frequently. 
The  impenitent  came  to  them  and  were  more  tender  and 
thoughtful.  God,  by  His  Spirit,  was  evidently  present  to  quick- 
en believers,  and  the  unconverted  ;  and  still  the  clouds  delayed 
to  break,  and  pour  its  refreshing  waters  abundantly.  At  this 
time  God  seemed  to  impress  His  people  with  a  desire  to  do  all 
they  could  ;  and,a8  it  came  to  their  knowledge  that  Mr.  Ham- 
mond, the  Evangelist,  was  greatly  blessed  in  his  labors  in  other 
places,  there  W£is  a  desire  that  he  might  be  invited  to  come 
among  us.  He  was  invited  and  came.  This  was  the  21st  of 
February  ;  he  staid  but  two  days,  but  they  were  days  of  great 
power.  The  cloud  of  mercy  which  had  been  hanging  over  us 
shed  dpwn  its  mercy  drops ;Christians  were  deeply  impressed  with 


254  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

a  sense  of  their  active  dependence  upon  God.  The  words  of  the 
Evangelist  were  attended  by  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit;  and, 
of  the  large  congregations,  few,  if  anj,remained  unmoved.  Some, 
indeed,  were  not  impressed  favorably,  but  others  allowed  them- 
selves to  be  convinced  of  the  truth.  The  truth  was  preached 
with  great  earnestness,  boldness  and  true  tenderness.  He  sought 
to  bring  the  children  to  Christ,  and  they  were  savingly  impress- 
ed. One  of  the  excellencies  of  his  efforts  among  us  was,  that  he 
preached  no  pleasing,  delusive  doctrine,  by  which  men  might  be 
led  to  take  up  with  a  false  hope.  He  preached  the  Lord  and 
Christ;  and  sought  to  convince  men  of  their  sins  ])y  showing 
them  their  sins. 

"  Another  most  interesting  feature  of  the  work  with  us  was, 
the  inquiry  meeting  after  the  pu])lic  exercises,  at  whicli  many 
remained,  and  were  addressed  on  the  subject  of  religion.  This 
meeting  was  continued  for  months,  and  proved  a  blessed  means 
of  grace,  in  which  many  were  led  to  consider  their  lost  condi- 
tion. There  have  been  not  a  few  cases  of  deep  interest  —  cases 
of  conversion  which  have  most  signally  displayed  the  Spirit's 
power  to  subdue  the  heart.  All  classes  of  community  have 
shared  in  the  work  !— children,  little  children  ;  business  men; 
our  most  esteemed  and  respected  women.  Many  families  have 
rejoiced,  and  do  rejoice.  Forty-four  have  united  with  the 
3lmrch  by  profession.  Others  are  designing  to  do  so.  It  is  not 
iesigned  to  be  understood, that  this  was  the  result  of  the  efforts 
of  any  man  however  blessed  of  God ;  but  the  result,  when  the 
church  of  God  gave  itself  to  prayer  and  faithful  labor — ^were  as 
it  appeared,  in  an  agony  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  With  the 
church,  in  this  condition,  the  Evangelist  faithfully,  prayerfully, 
earnestly  co-operated,  and,  under  God,  was  the  means  of  much 
good  among  us.  God  grant  that  the  time  may  soon  come,  when 
all  our  communities  may  receive  a  like,  or  still  more  gracious, 
visitation  from  on  high.    To  God  be  all  the  glory." 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  255 

Farmlnfrton  is  a  dello-litful  villao-e  in  Franklin 
County,  Maine,  amid  varied  and  sublime  scenery, 
the  seat  of  the  widely  known  and  excellent  "  Abbott 
School ; "  the  birth-place  and  resort  of  the 
Abbotts. 

Rev.  Mr.  Howard,  the  brother  of  the  beloved 
and  noble  General  Howard,  of  the  army,  who  lost 
an  arm  in  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  is  the  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  church.  He  published  in  the 
local  paper,  an  account  of  the  glorious  refreshing 
which  came  to  that  place  in  February,  during  which, 
a  hundred  and  fifty  were,  it  is  believed,  brought  to 
Christ,  besides  an  interest  awakened  in  other 
towns  : 

"  Will  you  allow  me  a  little  Bpace,m  which  to  speak  of  the 
present  marked  attention  to  the  subject  of  religion  in  this  com- 
munity? The  unusual  meetings  were  commenced  by  a  union 
prayer  meeting  at  the  Academy,on  Monday  of  last  week.  This 
was  attended  and  participated  in  by  all  the  clergymen  and  many 
of  the  people.  It  was  then  expected,that  Edward  Payson  Ham- 
mond, the  Evangelist,  would  address  a  united  meeting  on  Thurs- 
day evening,  but  the  detention  of  the  cars  preventing  his  ar- 
rival, the  meetings  each  day  and  evening  during  the  week  were 
conducted  by  the  resident  pastors.  In  spite  of  the  unfavorable 
weather,  the  meetings  increased  in  numbers ;  professors  of 
religion  were  aroused  and  much  earnest  prayer  was  offered, that 
Mr.  Hammond's  labors  should  receive  the  blessing  of  God.  But 
the  blessing  was  not  delayed  till  his  arrival.  A  number  of  per- 
Bons  began  seriously  to  ask  the  question —  '  Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
have  me  to  do  ? '    Mr.  U.  held  his  first  meeting  Sabbath  even- 


256  THE   HARVEST   WOUK 

ing,  and  the  Congregational  Church  was  crowded.  His  method 
of  procedure  is  to  conduct  the  exercises  of  singing,  reading  the 
Scriptures,  prayer  and  preaching,  without  much  regularity  but 
with  singular  earnestness.  After  these  services  an  inquiry 
meeting  is  held,  to  which  all  persons  wishing  to  converse  on  the 
subject  of  salvation  are  invited  to  stop,  and  also  such  ministers 
and  Christians  as  are  disposed  to  instruct  them.  This  inquiry 
meeting  has  been  a  blessed  meeting.  A  large  number  of  per- 
sons, of  all  ages  and  conditions  in  life,  may  be  seen  nightly  in 
all  parts  of  the  house,  conversing,  praying  and  weeping,  with 
occasional  general  admonition  from  Mr.  H.  and  others.  The 
unanimity  among  Christians,  ministers  and  laymen,  seems  to  be 
perfect.  All  recognize  it  as  a  work  of  God's  Spirit,  and  all  seem 
to  love  the  evangelist,  and  to  co-operate  with  him  with  all  the 
heart. 

"  The  scenes  here  are  but  a  repetition  of  what  has  been  wit- 
nessed in  Portland,  Bethel,  Bath,  and  South  Paris. 

"  Will  not  the  prayers  of  all  God's  people  go  up  for  this  dear 
brother  who  has  been  the  means  of  bringing  so  many  sinners  to 
their  Saviour  ?  As  he  is  about  to  leave  us,I  am  expressing  only 
the  general  voice,  in  saying,  that  our  hearts  are  filled  with  grati- 
tude and  love  to  him,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  wherever  God 
shall  call  him  to  especially  labor  and  pray,  an  abundant  blessing 
will  follow." 

"We  shall  not  forget  an  evening  we  spent  in  a 
meeting  three  weeks  afterward,  when,  among  others, 
a  popular  physician  related  the  steps  by  which  he 
was  led  from  mere  curiosity  to  anxiety,  —  from 
anxiety  to  distress,  —  and  from  anguish  of  soul  to 
peace  in  believing. 

And  at  the  same  moment  a  scoffer  lay  dead  in  hie 


OF  THE  HOLT   SPIRIT.  257  \ 


home,  one  of  a  business  firm  that  opposed  the  meet- 
ing ;  followed  soon  after  by  the  most  thrilling  scenes 
of  the  death-bed  of  the  wife,  kneeling  on  her  bed 
and  begging  for  prayer  and  for  mercy.  Thus  judg- 
ment followed  blessing,  the  usual  order  of  God*i 
providence  among  men. 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

The  Old  Colony.  The  Church  of  the  Pilgrimage.  The  Winter  ana 
Spring  of  1862.  Facts  and  incidents.  Lewiston,  Maine.  The 
cloud  like  a  man's  hand.  The  mighty  outpouring.  Letters  of  ex- 
perience. Farewell  meeting.  Brunswick.  The  College.  Scenes 
and  cases  of  striking  conversion. 

In  the   providence  of  God,  the  writer  seeking 
health,  went  to  Plymouth,  Mass.,  in  the  Autumn  of 
1861,     With    all   descendants   of  the   Pilgrims   in 
natural  or  spiritual  lineage,  he  felt  a  deep  interest 
in  the  Old  Colony,  with  its  beautiful  bay,  where  the 
Mayflower    rocked,  —  Burying    Hiil  where    their 
ashes  lie,  —  and  the  church  they  planted,  with  sacri- 
fice and  suffering  without  a  parallel  since  the  days 
of  the  apostles.     The  Congregational  Society  there, 
during  the  first  180  years,  had  only  seven  pastors, 
including  Brewster,  who  would  never  consent  to  be 
ordained,  although  in  labors  of  love,  the   shepherd 
of  the  flock  in  the  wUdemess.   Since  the  exodus  from 
Arminianism  in  1800,  with  the  loss  of  all  material 
possessions  as  a  pansh,  a  period  of  sixty  years,  there 
have  been,  also,  seven  pastors  ;  showing  that  a  sad 
change  has  gone  over  Puritan  New  England  since 
the  days  of  the   fathers.      Precious  revivals  of  re- 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  259 

ligion  have  been  the  repeated  benediction  of  the 
Lord  upon  his  heritage.  But  the  *  enemy  of  all 
righteousness*  seems  to  have  had  a  peculiar  hostility 
toward  this  Jerusalem  of  the  new  world,  and  every 
possible  form  of  attack  has  been  made  upon  the 
faith   and   peace    of  the  church. 

Errors  were  rife  in  the  community,  and  too  often 
the  Zion,  which  should  beat  them  back,  had  slept, 
while  her  adversary  sowed  the  tares.  For  three 
months  before  the  date  at  the  beginning  of  this 
chapter,  the  sanctuary  of  God  had  been  closed,  from 
reasons  material,  and  conditions  of  feeling ;  and  "  the 
ways  of  Zion  mourned."  When  invited  to  supply 
the  pulpit,  and  afterwards  to  remain,  the  conviction, 
which  laid  aside  all  other  plans,  was,  that  the  time 
to  favor  her  had  come  with  God.  The  parish  was 
visited,  church  fasts  appointed,  and  the  necessity 
of  a  revival  kept  before  the  people  on  all  occasions. 
The  aspect  of  the  congregation  gradually  changed 
to  a  marked  seriousness,  and  indications  of  unusual 
interest  apparent  among  the  impenitent.  But  health 
not  yet  confirmed,  forbidding  extra  meetings,  and 
the  exciting  war  news,  between  the  Sabbaths,  kept 
back  the  outbreak  of  feeling, —  the  outgushing  of 
the  waters  of  the  sanctuary.  At  this  crisis,  atten- 
tion was  turned  for  help  to  Mr.  Hammond.  The 
church  invited  him  to  come  ;  and  he  held  the  first 
services  on  Sabbath-day  the  last  of  March. 

The   work  in  a  brief  time,  assumed  a  decided 


260  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

form  and  power.  Although  he  remained  less  than 
three  weeks,  the  house  of  God  was  opened  nightl}' 
for  almost  nine  weeks ;  —  during  which  were  wit- 
nessed scenes  of  stirring  interest.  In  the  town  be- 
tween two  and  three  hundred  expressed  hope  in 
Christ,  many  of  whom,  at  least,  have  continued  to 
walk  according  to  the  gospel.  The  assistance  of 
Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  Eev.  Dr.  Kirk,  and  the  former 
pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Porter,  was  of  great  value  in  the 
progress  of  the  work ;  especially  the  earnest  and 
abundant  labors  of  Rev.  Mr.  Earle. 

At  the  close  of  a  sermon,  during  the  course  of 
the  evening  meetings,  from  the  mass  that  filled  the 
sanctuary,  rose  a  stalwart  man  of  about  60  years, 
and  with  trembling  frame,  cried  out ;  "  My  friends, 
it  is  twenty-six  years  since  I  have  been  in  the  house 
of  God,  till  last  evening.  I  have  been  the  vilest  of 
the  vile  ;  and  now  I  feel  that  Jesus  Christ  is  work- 
ing on  me? — and  he  is  working  fast.  If  any  of 
you  can  pray  for  me,  I  want  you  to  do  it."  He 
soon  bowed  in  the  dust,  and  begged  for  pardon, 
while  a  daughter  on  each  side,  who  had  found  the 
Saviour,  wept  aloud. 

Upon  another  occasion,  a  member  of  the  Church, 
who  had  found  fault  with  the  severity  of  the  gospel 
message,  with  a  flood  of  tears  and  broken  utter- 
ance, declared  that  he  had  been  a  boarder  in  God's 
family,  and  sought  an  interest  in  believing  prayer. 
Scenes  like  these  were  common  for  many  weeks. 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  261 

The  following  incident  appeared  in  the  columns  of 
the  Congregationalist  : 

"  It  was  on  the  lovely  morning  of  May  25th,  that  we  were 
Bitting  in  the  chapel  of  the  *  Church  of  the  Pilgrimage,'  at  the 
very  base  of  *  Burying  Hill,'  the  Holy  Spirit  filling  the  place, 
when  suddenly  a  call  at  the  door  summoned  a  young  man  to  the 
vestibule,  who  had  recently  found  Jesus.  In  a  moment  he  re- 
turned, and  in  a  flood  of  tears  broke  the  hallowed  stillness  by 
saying  :  '  My  friends,  the  *  Standish  Guards,'  to  which  I  belong, 
are  ordered  to  leave  at  2  o'clock  to-day.  And  now  I  want  you 
to  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  be  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross  ; 
and, if  I  fall,  may  die  happy  in  Christ.  Tray  for  my  com- 
rades.^ 

"  He  sat  dovm  amid  the  audible  sobs  of  many ;  for  this  was 
the  first  intimation  of  the  additional  contribution  to  the  ranks 
of  the  army  from  the  young  men  of  the  Old  Colony.  Then  one 
and  another  begged  the  prayers  of  God's  people  for  the  brothers 
and  friends  also  called  away  ;  and  hearts  and  lips  did  pray. 

"  The  meeting  closed,  and  there  was  hurrying  to  and  fro  to 
obey  the  summons.  A  little  later  the  armory  was  thronged, 
and  the  -streets  lined  with  all  classes.  As  I  spoke  to  the  young 
men  who  had  recently  been  converted,  with  a  smile  they  said, 

*  We  are  ready  to  go.'  Those  who  had  been  inquiring  the  way 
of  life  for  days  past,  wept.  Soon  to  the  stirring  music  of  the 
drum,  whose  roll  was  thunder  to  sad  hearts,  telling  of  the 
withering  stroke  to  the  affections,  the  Guards,  attende-d  with 
an  immense  concourse,  reached  the  d^pot.  Stepping  forth  from 
the  ranks,  a  young  man  leaned  upon  his  gun,  and  weeping  said, 

*  Had  I  not  been  converted,  I  should  not  want  to  go,  but  now 
am  glad  to  be  here.'  Next  came  to  my  side  a  fine  youth  with 
whom  we  had  often  conversed  about  his  soul,  but  who  had  no 
hope,  and  weeping,  desired  to  be  remembered  at  the  throne  of 
grace.    I  said,  go  to  the  Bible  for  light,  while  you  pray  for  it. 


262  THE   HARVEST  WOEK 

Laying  his  hand  upon  his  breast  he  replied,  '  Yes,  I  have  it  in 
my  pocket,'  and  also  wept.  Another  moment,  and  the  bell 
sounded,  and  away  the  company  moved  amid  cheers  and  tears, 
from  the  atmosphere  of  a  precious  revival,  to  aid  in  beating 
back  the  waves  of  the  darkest  rebellion  perdition  ever  poured 
over  the  plains  of  time.  Let  unceasing  prayer  ascend  for  th«» 
soldier  and  for  the  government,  that  there  may  be  wisdom  U- 
discern  and  courage  to  meet  the  issue  God  is  forcing  upon  us.' 

All  classes  were  reached.  Men  who  had  not  en- 
tered the  sanctuary  for  a  score  of  years  were  smitten 
down,  and  gave  evidence  of  the  saving  change. 
Whole  famihes  were  taken  by  the  Spirit  from  the 
bosom  of  popular  error^  and  the  town  was  per- 
vaded by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord ;  and  whatever 
discount  man's  weakness  or  sin  may  make,  Je- 
hovah vindicated  the  faith  of  the  Puritans,  and  his 
glory,  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  people.  Although  the 
pastor  elect  felt  it  his  duty  to  leave,  the  tidings 
came  of  many  accessions  to  the  churches,  and 
blessed  seasons  around  the  altars  of  prayer. 

While  in  Plymouth,  a  call  from  the  city  of  Lewis- 
ton,  Maine,  the  united  voice  of  the  pastors  of  the 
various  churches,  came  to  Mr.  Hammond,  to  la- 
bor in  the  whitening  harvest  field.  We  give  a 
statement  of  the  general  aspect  of  the  greatest  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit,  perhaps,  witnessed  in  any  one 
place  in  this  country  for  years,  until,  it  is  believed, 
five  hundred  persons  were  hopefully  converted, — as 
we  find  it  in  the  Lewiston  Herald,  from  the  pen  of 


OF    THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  263 

one  of  the  ministers.  The  origin  of  the  interest, 
is  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter  of  this  work  in 
another  connection: 

"Mr.  Hammond  has  now  preached  nine  Buccessive  evenings 
in  the  Free  Baptist  Church,  the  largest  in  the  place,  with  in- 
creasing interest,  power  and  blessing.  He  spoke  first  to  the 
children  in  Pine  Street  Chapel,  Rev.  Mr.  Balkam's  church,  on 
Sunday  afternoon  of  the  27th  ult.,  and  not  only  were  children 
and  young  people  wrought  upon,  many  of  whom  have  since  ex. 
pressed  hope,  (and  it  is  delightful  to  see  their  happy  faces,) 
but  yesterday,  at  the  morning  prayer  meeting,  a  gentleman  of 
mature  years  and  mental  powers  rose  in  hope,  and  said  his 
heart  was  touched  at  that  meeting.  He  spoke  with  great  calm- 
ness, though  we  presume  no  one  ever  heard  his  voice  in  any 
public  meeting  before.  He  said  he  had  always  been  afraid  of 
the  world,  but  now  he  wished  every  body  to  know  where  he 
stood,  and  with  divine  aid  meant  to  stand,  the  rest  of  his  days. 
Some  of  our  readers  will  call  to  mind  a  stout,  fat,  jovial  young 
man,  whom  they  have  often  seen  upon  the  railway,  between 
this  place  and  Danville  Junction.  He  has  declared  himself 
publicly  and  inflexibly  upon  the  Lord's  side.  There  have  been 
many  cases  of  conversions,  embracing  a  pretty  wide  range  of 
character,  and  the  work  is  apparently  extending  to  the  outmost 
circle  of  society,  and  including  all  classes. 

"  Saturday  evening, the  Free  Baptist  Church  was  packed  in 
every  part  of  it,  above  and  below,  by  people  sitting  or  standing, 
while  the  large  vestry  was  also  filled. 

"  Sunday  evening  the  above  church  was  filled  exclusively  with 
men  ;  the  vestry  with  men,  women  and  children.  The  Baptist 
Church  was  filled  exclusively  with  women.  The  M.  E.  vestry, 
which  is  very  large,  was  filled  as  usual.  The  morning  prayer 
meeting, Sunday,  was  one  of  deep  and  tender  zeal.  Meetings  of 
great  interest  have  also  been  held  in  High  St.  Cong.  Church, 


264  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

during  the  week,  of  which  we  have  not  time  and  spac4  eo 
Bpeak  more  particularly. 

"  If  this  work  were  not  based  upon  the  most  thorou^dly 
considered  scriptural  and  theological  teaching  of  years,  it  might 
be  dismissed  as  the  blown  up  heat  of  an  hour.  As  the  matter 
is,  nothing  of  the  kind  can  be  pretended  for  a  moment.  We 
suppose  ^there  is  as  much  calmness  of  instruction  at  West 
Point,  as  at  any  other  school  of  learning.  But  every  lesson 
given  there  in  utmost  quiet,  contemplates  the  excitement  and 
shock  of  battle.  Yet  not  more  certainly,  than  does  the  whole 
system  of  Evangelical  truth  contemplate  a  certain  excitement, 
when  it  is  received  into  the  heart.  It  is  the  inevitable  excite- 
ment of  truth  in  conflict  with  error — of  sin  in  conflict  with 
holiness  —  of  human  will  in  resistance  to  the  Divine  will  —  of 
human  depravity  lifting  itself  in  opposition  to  infinite  purity. 

"  If  Mr.  Hammond  produces  excitement,  it  is  only  by  the 
greatness  of  his  zeal  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God 
that  he  does  it.  Besides,  the  farthest  aim  in  the  world  from 
his,  is  an  effort  to  create  excitement.  His  simple  aim  is  to 
preach  with  his  whole  soul  what  he  believes  to  be  the  truth. 
The  secret  of  his  power  is  the  entireness  with  which  he  gives 
himself  up  to  the  impulses  of  the  Spirit.  He  always  appears 
with  his  Bible  in  his  hand  ;  wherever  he  goes,  the  Bible  seems 
to  be  the  talisman  of  his  power.  If  any  suppose  he  wishes  to 
exalt  himself,  they  could  not  be  more  mistaken.  He  loses  him- 
self in  the  greatness  of  his  work.  And  most  emphatically  may 
it  be  said  of  him,  <  the  zeal  of  thine  house  hath  eaten  him  up.' 
If  he  is  deluded,  then  the  whole  system  of  Orthodoxy  is  a  delu- 
sion. 

"  We  were  surprised  this  morning,  upon  entering  the  store  of 
one  of  our  most  able  and  excellent  citizens  of  this  class,  to  find 
that,  last  night,  in  the  retirement  of  his  home,  he  had  settled 
the  great  question.  He  went  home,  and  went  to  his  Bible ;  he 
read  it  —  read  it  without  skipping  —  believed  it  —  believed  it 


OP  THE   HOLT    SPIRIT.  265 

all  —  felt  it  as  the  very  Word  of  God  speaking  to  him.  We 
know  there  are  others,  many  of  them  of  this  class,  who  are  al- 
ready convinced  of  their  duty,  and  who  are  only  awaiting  a  lit- 
tle more  pressure  of  will,  now,  to  become,  in  the  most  delight- 
ful sense,  children  of  God. 

"  At  the  open-air  meeting  Sunday  evening,  when  full  three 
thousand  were  present,  more  than  half  were  men.  The  minis- 
ters of  the  place  were  generally  present,  and  for  the  first  time 
at  any  of  these  meetings  we  noticed  the  Episcopal  and  Catholic 
clergymen.  Mr.  H.  was  distinctly  heard  by  the  outmost  cir- 
cle, as  well  he  might  be,  for  he  has  spoken  so  as  to  be  heard,  to 
five  times  the  number  in  Aberdeen,  and  other  places  in  Scot- 
land. 

"  It  was  a  heart-stirring  sight.  The  evident  impression  of 
the  truth  showed,that  it  was  falling  on  minds,  curiously  mould- 
ed by  the  Creator  to  be  wrought  upon  by  just  such  appeals." 

The  following  interesting  letter  was  read  in  one  of 
the  churches.  These  letters  indicate  the  wondrous 
change  that  is  daily  taking  place  in  the  hearts  of 
many  of  the  people.  Some  of  the  leading  men  of 
business  stood  up  in  the  great  congregation, 
and  testified  of  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
transform  the  whole  moral  nature : 

"  Lewiston,  May  12,  1862. 
"  Dear  Mr.  Hammond:  — In  very  early  life  I  was  the  sub- 
ject of  strong  religious  impressions,  and, through  the  deceitful- 
ness  of  my  own  heart,  for  awhile  believed  I  had  given  myself 
to  Christ.  But  soon  I  found  myself  deceived.  Then  did  I  re- 
fuse all  confidence  in  experimental  religion,  and  gladly  sought 
to  believe  in  the  universal  salvation  of  all.  That  would  give 
me  a  wide  scope  for  dancing  and  like  amusements.    I  watched 


266  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

professing  Christians,  glad  to  detect  their  faults.  Thus  Lad  I 
become  careless,  when  Death  entered  our  family  circle,  and  Oh  1 
how  deep  did  I  sink  in  despair.  Then  I  promised  to  become  a 
Christian,  yet  had  no  faith  in  Christianity.  I  felt  that  I  must 
be  wrong,  and  often  asked  myself  if  Universalism  is  true,  why, 
in  this  the  hour  of  deepest  need,  does  it  forsake  me  ?  why  these 
dark  and  dreadful  doubts  ?  But  I  silenced  conviction,  looked 
at  professed  Christians,  and  thought  myself  as  good  as  they. 

"  When  I  came  to  Lewiston,  as  I  found  it  inconvenient  to  at- 
tend a  Universalist  meeting,  I  visited  different  churches,  that  I 
might  glean  a  harvest  of  their  imperfections.  How  faithless, 
how  wicked  was  my  heart. 

"  The  first  time  I  heard  you  speak,  I  returned  home  more 
faithless  than  ever,  assured  that  *  Godly  sorrow  '  none  could 
have.  The  following  Monday,  you  spoke  of  the  different  ways 
God  takes  to  draw  us  to  himself ;  one  was,  taking  from  us  our 
dear  friends.  I  never  can  tell  how  it  pierced  my  heart.  It 
seemed,you  was  to  give  me  a  last  and  final  warning  —  that  I 
must  repent  now,  or  be  for  ever  lost.  After  meeting,  before  I 
could  leave  the  house,  you  spoke  to  me  —  asked  if  I  loved 
Jesus?  I  was  ashamed  to  be  seen  conversing  with  you  — 
ashamed  of  my  own  feelings,  which  I  could  no  longer  conceal. 
You  prayed  with  me  but  I  could  not  kneel.  You  left  me,  say- 
ing you  would  return  soon,  but  I  waited  for  no  second  inter- 
view. That  night  I  sought  my  pillow,  but  found  little  rest. 
Satan  seemed  to  say  '  folly,  all  folly,"  for  —  *  as  in  Adam  all 
die,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive.'  But  I  could  not  keep 
away  from  the  meetings.  The  next  evening  I  sat  back  by  the 
door  to  see  if  I  should  feel  the  same.  But  there  was  no  peace 
for  me.  I  did  not  stop  to  the  inquiry  meeting,  but  went  home 
and  tried  to  read  my  Bible  ;  it  was  a  sealed  book.  I  no  longer 
tried  to  drive  away  my  feeling8,but  hoped  they  would  deepen. 

•*  The  next  day  I  was  wretched.  I  felt  that  God  would 
never  forgive  me  ;  that  I  had  committed  the  unpardonable  sin, 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  267 

in  once  having  profesBed  to  love  my  Saviour, while  my  he:.rt  was 
in  rebellion  against  Him.  I  resolved  I  would  test  my  feelings. 
I  would  not  go  to  meeting,and  see  if  my  feelings  would  be  the 
same.    But  on  all  around  seemed  written, 

*  Till  to  Jesus'  work  you  cling 

By  a  simple  faith. 
Doing  is  a  dangerous  thing. 
Doing  ends  in  death.' 

"  I  read  my  Bible,  and  tried  to  pray  that  if  there  was  such  a 
thing  as  a  change  of  heart,  God  would  not  suffer  me  to  rest  till  I 
had  found  it.  Then  came  a  d^ar  friend,  and  with  her  arms 
around  my  neck,  said  she  had  found  Jesus,  and  it  was  so  easy. 
I  was  discouraged.  I  had  spent  miserable  days  and  sleepless 
nights,  and  now  to  be  told  it  was  '  so  easy.'  That  night  I  went 
to  meeting,  stopped  to  the  inquiry  meeting,  conversed  with 
several,  but  found  no  relief.  I  met  with  a  friend, who  had  dur- 
ing the  week  written  me  a  letter,  begging  me  to  give  my  heart 
to  Christ.  I  would  not  tell  him  what  kept  me  back,  and  we 
left  the  house  in  company  with  other  ladies  who  had  just  pass- 
ed from  '  death  unto  life.'  Their  company  only  made  me 
more  wretched.  I  felt  I  was  lost —  there  was  no  hope  for  me, 
and  I  would  no  longer  seek  what  I  could  not  obtain.  I  finally 
resolved  to  tell  my  friends  the  sin  of  my  youth,  which  I  feared 
God  would  not  forgive,  and  what  I  had  ever  after  thought  of 
Christians.  They  were  talking,  but  I  know  not  what  they  said, 
for  I  was  lifting  my  heart  to  God  as  I  had  never  before,  repeat- 
ing the  words, 

*  Just  as  I  am,  though  tossed  about, 
With  many  a  conflict,  many  a  doubt. 
With  fears  within,  and  foes  without, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come.' 

"  Then  peace,  such  as  I  had  never  known,  came  to  my  soul. 


268  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

It  seemed  like  going  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  the  nocn-day 
Bun.  I  no  longer  doubt  Christians,  but  with  them  hope  to 
gpend  an  eternity  of  bliss." 

The  additional  instance  of  sovereign  rescue  from 
the  edge  of  ruin  is  that  of  a  young  lawyer,  whose 
family  name  is  familiar  in  the  national  Senate,  and 
throughout  the  State,  T.  A.  T>.  Fessenden,  Esq. 

A  daily  paper  reports  the  touching  occasion  of 
his  solemn  narration  of  his  conversion,  as  follows  : 

"  Mr.  Fessenden  detailed  at  some  length  the  story  of  his  con- 
version, which  enchained  the  attention  of  the  large  audience, 
and  came  home  to  many  a  heart.  Mr.  F.  spoke  nearly  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

'*'I  cannot  refrain  from  saying,  that  it  is  repugnant  to  my 
natural  feelings,  to  speak  of  myself;  but  in  the  hope  that  it 
may  possibly,  with  God's  blessing,  be  the  means  of  some  little 
good,  I  will  speak.  I  feel  impelled  to  speak  for  the  cause  of  Je- 
sus, and  of  my  late  experience,  though  my  words  be  feeble. 
My  story  is  a  simple  one.  But  a  short  time  since  I  had  sup- 
posed that  I  was  possessed  of  a  strong  will,  of  good  nerves,  and 
of  a  clear  judgment.  I  did  not  think  I  was  emotional,  and  I  re- 
marked to  a  friend  with  whom  I  was  conversing,  and  who 
mentioned  that  Mr.  Hammond  was  creating  an  excitement,  that 
'  if  he  could  raise  any  emotion  in  me,  I  should  like  to  have  him, 
for  it  was  dull,  and  had  been  so  long  since  I  had  felt  emotion, 
that  I  should  like  to  feel  it.  One  Sunday  evening  it  entered  my 
mind  th^-t  I  would  go  and  hear.  I  went  and  listened  intently, 
but  it  was  with  no  expectation  that  it  would  aflFord  me  any 
pleasure, except  that  of  hearing  one  who,  from  report,  appeared 
to  be  an  earnest  and  impassioned  speaker.  I  listened  to  him 
and  went  away.    I  descanted  to  my  friends  upon  his  power  of 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  2G9 

illuBtr.itmg,  and  told  them  that  he  drew  upon  his  travels  for  his 
figures  of  speech.  I  was  utterly  indifferent  so  far  as  my  per- 
sonal state  was  concerned.  Some  time  after,  I  attended  again, 
and  listened  attentively.  I  fastened  my  eye  upon  the  speaker, 
and  for  some  moments  his  gaze  was  riveted  on  mine,  as  he  ad- 
dressed me  in  tones  of  impassioned  earnestness  to  come  to  Christ. 
It  was  thus  I  began  to  think,  is  this  real  ?  Is  it  necessary  ?  Is 
it  a  duty  we  have  resting  upon  us?  But  when  the  sermon 
closed,  I  walked  down  the  aisle,  and  out  of  church  alone.  I 
thought  then,  there  is  no  necessity  of  my  stopping  here  to  talk 
with  these  people ;  it  will  do  well  enough  for  persons  not  in 
the  habit  of  thinking  for  themselves,  but  not  for  me.  I  con- 
cluded that  I  would  not  go  again;  but,  on  reflection,  I  said,  I 
will  go,  I  am  not  afraid  to  hear  the  man.  I  went.  I  was  inter- 
ested in  the  sermon ;  I  was  interested  in  the  experience  of  Mr. 
Wight ;  I  was  interested  and  moved  by  the  affecting  prayer  for 
physicians  and  lawyers,  more  particularly,perhaps,  because  I 
had  been  introduced  to  Mr.  Hammond  durmg  the  day,  and 
thought  he  might  have  me  in  his  mind,  and  my  heart  was 
somewhat  softened  ;  but  I  did  not  heed  the  invitation  to  stop, 
but  steeling  my  heart  I  walked  to  the  door. 

'<*I  was  overtaken  by  him.  He  urged  me  and  a  friend  who 
was  with  me  to  remain.  He  said  my  old  father  was  praying 
for  me,  and  kindly  pressed  me  to  stay.  He  asked  me  to  promise 
him  that  I  would  pray  that  night,  but  I  refused  the,  promise, 
and  said  I  would  see  him  the  next  day.  As  I  walked  down  the 
still  street  my  feelmgs  overcame  me,  and  I  wept ;  but  when  1 
neared  my  home  I  endeavored  to  crush  out  all  my  feelings  of 
remorse,  so  that  I  might  enter  the  presence  of  my  wife  calm  and 
unmoved,  for  1  would  not  let  her  see,  that  a  man  in  the  prime 
of  life  could  be  so  wrought  upon,  and  appear  so  unmanly.  I 
sat  down,  but  my  grief  came  over  me,  and  I  covered  my  face 
with  my  handkerchief.  She  sought  to  comfort  me.  I  choked 
down  my  sensations  for  the  moment,  and  said,  '  This  is  excite- 


270  THE   HARVEST   WORD 

ment  —  it  will  pass  away  ' ;  but  she  replied,  '  It  is  the  Spirit 
of  God  struggling  with  you,'  and  begged  me  to  yield  to  its  in- 
fluences.  I  was  softened.  I  asked  her  to  pray.  She  did  so, 
and  asked  me  to  pray,  and  for  the  first  time  since  I  was  a  young 
boy,  I  knelt  and  prayed.  The  next  morning,  Mr.  Adams  met 
me.  He  talked  a  moment  with  me  in  the  street,  and  I  invited 
him  to  my  office.  He  then  talked  and  prayed  with  me,  and  I 
tried  to  pray.  He  left,  and  during  that  day  I  was  overwhelmed 
with  mental  anguish.  My  sins  were  before  me.  The  memory 
of  my  past  life  came  vividly  to  my  mind,  and  temptations  and 
suggestions  of  all  sorts  pressed  upon  me  to  shake  off  these  de- 
lusions ;  but  I  prayed  constantly  and  fervently  in  my  mind  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  would  not  leave  me,  but  would  continue  to 
strive.  That  evening  I  attended  meeting,  and  heard  the  story 
of  the  Son  of  God ;  that  He  came  to  save  the  lost  ;  that  for  our 
sakes  he  was  treated  as  though  a  guilty  rebel ;  of  his  agony  up- 
on the  cross  ;  and  when  I  listened  to  the  words  of  the  dying  Je- 
sus, in  the  extremity  of  agony,  '  My  God  !  my  God  !  why  hast 
Thou  forsaken  me  ? '  my  heart  melted.  I  stopped  at  the  in- 
quiry meeting,  and  on  my  knees  I  promised  God,  that,  if  he 
would  forgive  my  sins,  I  would  take  sides  with  Jesus —  that  I 
would  stand  up  for  Jesus  —  give  my  heart  to  Him,  and  would 
trust  to  Him  and  be  His.  I  was  at  peace.  Hence  I  am  willing 
to  stand  up  and  speak  to  you  to-night.  This  may  seem  to  some 
a  simple  story,  but  appears  a  solemn  reality  to  me.' " 

Another  wrote : 

'<  Dear  Mr.  Hammond  :  — When  you  came  to  Lewiston,  I 
went  to  hear  you  simply  because  you  were  famous ;  for,  though 
calling  myself  a  Christian,  I  was  proud  and  self-reliant,  and  had 
had  no  sympathy  with  what  I  scornfully  called  *  revival  excite- 
ment.' 

"  The  first  evening  I  heard  you  speak,  you  showed  me  that, 
at  best,  I  was  only  a  *  boarder '  in  the  Lord's  family.    I  was 


OP  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  271 

startled  and  angry.  I  went  to  hear  you  talk  to  einnere,  and 
not  to  test,  by  personal  experience^  your  power  of  awakening 
cold  hearted  professors.  I  tried  to  get  out  of  the  house,  but 
it  was  so  crowded  I  could  not ;  stopping  at  the  inquiry  meeting, 
Satan  advised  me  as  my  only  refuge,  to  feel  disgusted  ;  and  I 
went  home  trying  to  think  I  was ;  all  the  next  day  and  the  next, 
I  quarreled  with  my  conscience,  and,  by  convincing  others, 
tried  to  make  myself  believe  that  the  revival  was  fanatical  and 
absurd;  not  a  thought,  in  those  days, of  the  struggle  that  was 
going  on  in  the  hearts  around  me;  not  a  prayer  for  the  precious 
souls  that  were  embracing  or  rejecting  Jesus;  only  a  wilful  de- 
sire to  forget  my  own  duty. 

''But  as  I  listened,  a  week  ago  to-day,  in  the  High  St. 
Church,  to  a  letter  you  read  from  a  lady  in  Portland,  and  to 
your  remarks  concerning  it,  I  could  no  longer  shut  my  eyes  to 
the  fearful  wrong  I  was  doing  my  own  soul,  and,  through  you, 
the  cause  of  Christ ;  I  knew  then,  just  how  Peter  of  old  felt 
after  he  denied  his  Lord. 

**  Jesus  forgave  me,  as  I  trust,  and  took  me  back  to  his  arms 
once  more ;  but  I  knew  I  ought  to  go  and  tell  you,  and  ask  you 
to  forgive  me  too  ;  it  was  so  hard,  I  thought  I  could  not ;  so  I 
tried  to  help  you  at  the  inquiry  meetings,  and  every  way  I  could 
think  of,  but  it  was  no  use  ;  if  I  attempted  to  speak  to  an 
anxious  one,  I  thought  how  I  had  stood  right  there,  and  actual- 
ly laughed  at  you,  a  little  while  before.  I  couldn't  pray  for 
you,  even,  for  I  kept  thinking,  '  If  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the 
altar,'  &c.,  and  last  Sabbath  evening  I  couldn't  bear  it  any 
longer,  so  I  went  and  told  you  ;  then  I  could  sing  and  pray, 
brother  ;  I  couldn't  help  it. 

Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  of  Auburn,  across  the  river  from, 
and  practically  a  part  of  Lewiston,  gives  his  own 
clear  account  of  what  God  has  wrought : 

"  The  special  religious  interest,  in  the  two  towns  of  Auburn 


272  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

and  Lewieton,  came  upon  the  mass  of  our  coimnunity  as  sud- 
denly, no  doubt,  as  the  freshet  that  sweeps  along  our  river  in 
the  early  spring.  And  yet  it  was  not  sudden,  for  just  as  the 
snows  that  whiten  the  mountain  tops  in  November,  and  cover 
the  plains,  and  fill  the  valleys,  give  token  of  the  coming  flood, 
BO  have  there  been  for  months  past,  from  as  far  back  as  Novem- 
ber, certainly,  awakening  providences,  burdened  Christian 
hearts,  pleadings  and  tears  in  secret  places,  now  and  then  a 
case  of  conversion,  and,  as  we  have  since  found,  a  deepening 
thoughtfulness  with  many  of  the  unconverted. 

'<  Whether,  however,  all  this  would  have  issued  in  a  general 
awkening,  apart  from  the  special  means  employed,  and  which 
God  has  so  evidently  blessed,  may  well  be  doubted.  Some  time 
in  March,a  union  morning  prayer-meeting  was  commenced  with 
us,in  which  the  interest  and  the  prayerfalness  of  Christian  peo- 
ple found  utterance,  and  the  new  awakened  ones,  found  en- 
couragement and  help. 

"Just  at  the  close  of  April,  Rev.  Mr.  Hammond  came  to 
labor  among  us,  at  the  invitation,  and  with  the  full  and  hearty 
concurrence, of  the  pastors  in  the  two  towns.  For  a  period  of 
nearly  four  weeks,  he  maintained,  in  concert  with  the  pastors,  a 
series  of  evening  meetings,  and  devoted  himself  with  a  singular 
and  unremitting  zeal  to  the  work  of  saving  souls.  Rarely,  I 
am  sure,  is  the  truth  of  God  preached  more  forcibly  and 
pungently.  Rarely  do  men  find  themselves  pressed  by  a  more 
determined  urgency,  or  plead  with  more  fervently  and  more 
tenderly,  to  give  up  their  sins,  and  accept  the  Gospel  salvation. 
The  meetings,  held  mainly  in  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Church  in 
Lewiston,  and  (less  frequently)  in  the  High  Street  Congregation- 
al church  in  Auburn,  were  invariably  crowded,  hundreds  stand- 
ing through  the  evening,  and  hundreds  going  away  to  prayer- 
meetings  elsewhere.  All  yros  subdued  and  still.  The  Spirit  of 
God  was  manifestly  present.  The  inquiry  meetings  that  fol- 
lowed the  more  public  service — though  it  is  hardly  proper  to 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  273 

dietinguieh  between  the  more  public  and  less  public,  where  the 
numbers  in  both  cases  were  so  large — were  scenes  of  marvelous 
interest.  Christians,  young  and  old,  were  seen  conversing  with 
their  unconverted  friends,  pleading  with  them  sometimes  with 
many  tears,  kneeling  down  with  them,  in  their  pews  where  they 
were,  and  pleading  with  God  on  their  behalf,  and  from  time  to 
time  new  witnesses  bearing  testimony  to  the  pardoning  mercy 
of  God. 

"  Besides  these  evening  services,  meetings  have  been  held  for 
the  children,  Wednesday  and  Saturday  afternoons,  attended  by 
large  numbers  of  children  as  well  as  by  many  other  persons. 
There  Christ  has  been  preached  first  and  foremost,  and  they  have 
been  appealed  to  as  if  it  was  really  believed  that  they  might  be 
converted,  and  converted  now  ;  and  when  we  have  seen  hundreds 
of  them  troubled  under  a  sense  of  sin,  when  we  have  seen  them 
bowing  before  God,  and  pleading  with  many  tears,  when  we 
have  seen  many  subsequently  peaceful  and  radiant  with  Chris- 
tian hope  and  joy,  when  we  have  heard  their  testimony  for 
Christ,  and  have  seen  them  pleading  with  their  friends,  and 
pleading  for  them,  when  we  have  seen  in  them,  from  day  to  day, 
tlie  transformed  lives,  and  the  fruits  meet  for  repentance,  we 
have  said,  this  is  just  what  we  might  have  expected.  This  is 
in  precise  accordance  with  our  own  previous  theory  of  things, 
and  is  just  what  the  Gospel  and  the  promises  of  a  gracious  God 
warranted  us  in  looking  for. 

"  As  the  results  of  this  work  thus  far,  some  hundreds — ^I  do 
not  know  how  many — profess  conversion.  Among  these  there 
are  people  of  all  ages  and  conditions.  Some  have  been  very  hard 
cases,  young  men  of  profligate  lives,  and  yet  for  the  most  part, 
and  so  far  as  I  know,  young  men  who  have  been  followed  in  all 
their  wanderings  by  the  prayers  of  Christian  fathers  and  mothers. 
Some  are  men  of  position  and  influence.  Many  are  heads  of 
families.  Many  are  children,  from  sixteen  years  old  downward. 
In  our  own  Sabbath  school  Concert,  last  evening,  a  large  uum- 


274  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

ber,  I  should  hardly  dare  to  say  how  many,  rose  to  testify  their 
choice  of  their  Saviour,  and  their  consecration  to  his  service. 

"  There  are  tvro  or  three  things  suggested  by  this  recent  ex- 
perience of  vrhich  I  should  like  to  speak,  but  I  can  only  allude 
to  them.  One — the  indispensableness  of  a  more  direct,  pungent, 
close  home  style  of  searching  than  generally  obtains  among  us. 
There  is,  says  Dr.  Chalmers,  a  time  to  reason  and  there  is  a  time 
to  affirm.  The  reasoning  time  is  always  with  us,  but  the  time  of 
bold,  undoubting,  urgent  affirmation  we  too  rarely  reach.  A 
very  large  share  of  Mr.  Hammond's  power  lies  in  this ;  that 
what  other  ministers  prove  he  assumes,  on  the  marked  testi- 
mony of  the  Bible,  and  treats  as  incontestible  and  urgent  fact. 
And  if  any  man  takes  exception  to  the  style  of  that  brother,  as 
making  small  account  of  established  principles  in  logic  and  rhe- 
toric, I  answer,  so  much  the  more  in  favor  of  my  point,  for  with 
all  this  drawback  he  effects  a  lodgment  of  truth,  and  sways  men 
by  it  a  hundred  fold  more  than  you  do,  with  all  the  closeness 
of  your  logic,  and  all  the  felicity  of  your  illustration  and  ap- 
peal. 

'<  A  second  point — which  I  can  only  suggest — has  reference 
to  that  most  neglected  class,  the  children.  Most  neglected  class, 
I  say,  notwithstanding  the  Sabbath- school  and  all  its  appliances. 
What  minister  gives  them  their  fair  proportion  in  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  pulpit !  What  minister,  even  in  times  of  revival, 
arranges  meetings  for  them,  and  preaches  to  them,  and  pleads 
with  them,  as  he  does  with  those  who  are  older  !  *  Were  half 
the  breath  thus  vainly  spent 'on  adults  given  to  those  whose 
hearts  are  yet  tender,  we  should  see  blessed  results. 

"  A  third  point — and  one  on  which  your  correspondent  pre* 
sumed  to  say  a  few  words  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the  Suffolk 
South  Conference,  in  Park  Street  Church — is  a  determined  ur- 
gency in  dealing  with  individuals.  We  have  seen  the  value  of 
this  in  the  present  revival.  People  who  could  get  through  the 
sermon  and  the  prayer  meeting  little  moved,  were  brought  up 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  275 

by  the  conversation  meeting  that  followed,  and  by  the  importu- 
nitiee  of  Christian  friends.  Men  of  judgment  and  culture,  who 
had  been  awakened,  and  who  might  be  left,  if  any  might,  to 
consider  and  decide  for  themselves,  had  been  followed  up  to 
their  homes  or  their  offices,  and  pressed  with  the  truth  there, 
and, when  they  admitted  it,  met  with  the  call,  '  Come,  then,  let 
us  kneel  down  before  God  right  here,  now,  and  confess  our  sin 
and  plead  for  mercy,"  and  all  the  urgency  of  Cin-istien  zeal,  and 
all  the  tenderness  of  Christian  love  and  sympathy  was  brought 
to  bear  upon  them  to  help  them.  But  I  have  no  time  to  go  far- 
iher,  nor  have  you  room  for  me.  I  only  say  in  closing,  » the  Lord 
hath  done  great  things  for  us.'  May  our  future  lives  yield 
some  harvest  of  gratitude  and  faithfulness." 

We  have  in  the  Daily  Journal  a  review  of  the 
revival,  in  addresses  made  at  a  closing  service  on  the 
evening  of  the  12th  of  June : 

"  The  Free  Baptist  Church  was  crowded  to  overflowing, Wed- 
nesday evening,  on  the  occasion  of  the  last  union  meeting  in 
which  Mr.  Hammond,  the  Evangelist,  is  to  participate  in  this 
place,  for  the  present,  at  least.  Every  part  of  that  large 
church  was  filled — the  galleries,  sittings,  pulpit,  aisles,  door- 
ways and  entries ;  and  hundreds  went  away  without  being  able 
to  obtain  even  a  standing  place, — the  interest  in  the  gathering 
being  heightened  by  the  fact,that  it  was  a  farewell  meeting  to 
Mr.  Hammond,  on  the  occasion  of  which  his  numerous  friends 
had  determined  to  present  him  with  a  suitable  pecuniary  ac- 
knowledgement for  his  invaluable  labors. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Lowell  conducted  the  meeting,  and  made  the 
opening  remarks,  for  an  abstract  of  which,  together  with  a 
synopsis  of  the  remarks  of  others,  we  are  indebted  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Tufts.  Mr.  LoweU  said,  that  he  had  been  most  fevorably  im- 
pressed by  Mr.  Hammond,  and  that  it  was  a  matter  of  gratitude 
he  had  come  among  us,  and  aided  the  ministers  here  in  the 


276  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

good  work  of  bringing  hundreds  of  souls  to  say, 

*  I  love  Jesus,  yes  I  do,  I  know  I  do.* 

He  thanked  him  in  their  behalf,  in  behalf  of  anxious  souls  still 
inquiring,  and  in  behalf  of  others  not  yet  determined  in  their 
minds  to  seek  the  Lord — hoping  that  the  good  word,  spoken 
to  them  from  time  to  time, would  be  as  good  seed,  so  that  in  the 
future  they  may  turn  back  to  these  meetings  as  the  beginning  of 
serious  thoughts,  and  as  blest  of  God  through  Mr.  Hammond, 
whom  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  employ  as  the  means  of  their 
conversion. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Butler  said,he  would  bear  testimany  to  the  won- 
drous things  he  had  seen  of  this  servant  of  God,  who  a  few 
weeks  ago  came  among  us  unheralded  and  unknown.  At  first 
he  was  distrustful  of  Mr.  Hammond's  measures ;  but  that  feel- 
ing soon  passed  away,  and  it  need  not  be  said  what  had  been 
done.  It  took  hold  on  eternity,  and  that  alone  could  tell  what 
God  had  wrought  in  this  revival.  Like  Napoleon,  he  held  him- 
self to  no  rule  of  action;  but  like  that  leader,  he  hurled  his 
legions  with  great  effect  against  the  enemy.  So  had  Mr.  H. 
plead  God's  word,  and  many  sinners  had  been  plucked  as  brands 
from  the  burning.  He  hoped  this  work  would  go  on.  He  re- 
joiced that  family  altars  had  been  increased,  and  that  many 
fathers  and  mothers  could  now  throw  their  arms  around  whole 
households.  He  hoped, that, when  generations  had  passed,  this 
audience  would  rise  up  in  praise  of  this  revival.  He  thought 
it  would  be  matter  of  rejoicing  among  the  angels  and  saints  in 
glory,  in  the  ages  to  come.  He  was  glad  to  be  present  and  bless 
God  with  others  for  this  revival ;  not  only  for  what  it  had  done 
here,  but  for  its  influence  in  other  places.  He  spoke  of  a  good 
work  begun  near  by,  and  hoped  hundreds  would  be  gathered 
in.  He  deprecated  the  objections  of  some  against  the  conver- 
sion of  children,  as  though  they  would  not  hold  out.  He  spoke 
of  his  own  experience  and  observation  of  twenty  years  to  the 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  277 

contrary.  He  rejoiced  in  the  jubilee,  and  hoped  it  would  be 
the  beginning  of  endless  joy — a  foretaste  of  that  great  gather- 
ing in  heaven  where  all  would  be  happy  and  joyous. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Wood  said,  of  aU  the  assemblies  of  life  we  might 
look  to  this  as  the  most  precious.  In  the  eternal  world,  where 
we  take  higher  degrees  of  glory,  we  shall  see  this  was  a  pure 
work,  wrought  by  God's  Spirit.  What  but  love  could  do  such 
a  work  ?  He  blessed  God,  that  Mr.  H.  had  come  among  us, 
that  a  work  of  grace  had  been  accelerated,  the  church  blessed, 
and  souls  saved.  We  had  been  taught  to  love  each  other  as 
never  before.  He  spoke  of  the  inJEluence  of  this  work  at  Bangor, 
that  Mr.  Small  carried  the  Spirit  home  with  him,  and  that 
a  revival  had  commenced  there  with  flattering  prospects.  He 
hoped  all  would  labor  on  in  the  work,  and  not  think  it  finished. 

"  A.  D.  Lockwood,  Esq.,  said, he  did  not  expect  to  speak,  but 
would  say  with  other  Christians,  that  he  enjoyed  this  gathering. 
We  had  come  together  for  no  ordinary  purpose.  He  could 
speak  of  the  love  of  Jesus.  At  eighteen  he  had  experienced 
religion,  and  during  all  the  trials  and  perplexities  of  business 
it  had  been  his  support.  Nothing  like  a  trust  in  Jesus  could 
sustain  the  sinking  heart.  He  urged  the  business  men  of  Lew- 
iston  to  come  to  Jesus,  embrace  religion,  and  be  prepared  in 
time  for  eternity. 

"  D.  M.  Ayer,  Esq.,  said,  he  could  not  resist  saying  a  word 
for  Jesus.  Though  not  entirely  free  from  doubts,  he  could 
say  Jesus  was  precious  to  him,  and  that  a  load  had  been  taken 
from  his  heart.  He  was  determined  to  conquer  the  obstacles 
before  him.  He  was  happy  in  duty  and  in  the  love  of  God ; 
that  so  far  he  had  had  supports  in  business  he  could  not  othei- 
wise  have  had.     He  urged  all  to  come  to  Jesus. 

''  Rev.  Mr.  Balkam  said,  he  would  bear  testimony  to  what 
had  already  been  said  of  the  eflSciency  of  Mr.  H.'s  labors.  He 
said  that  two  sisters  in  his  church  assured  him,  if  he  would  in 
vite  Mr.  Hammond  to  come  to  Lewiston,  that  all  pecuniary  o]> 


278 


THE    HARVEST    AVORK 


ligations  should  be  met.  His  people  at  first  were  not  in  favor 
of  the  invitation,  but  soon  thought  better  of  it.  Pie  approved 
of  the  measures  adopted  by  Mr.  H.  Since  the  smoke  of  the  bat- 
tle had  cleared  away,  and  results  had  been  seen,  his  apprecia- 
tion of  him  and  his  work  had  risen,  and  he  rejoiced  with  others 
that  a  new  era  had  dawned. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  McMilan  spoke  of  the  evidences  that  God  was 
here,  and  that  the  love  of  Jesus  ruled  in  many  hearts.  He  re- 
joiced at  all  this.  In  eternity  hundreds  of  converts  in  this  re- 
vival would  shine  as  stars  in  the  crown  of  Mr.  H*  He  hoped 
the  work  would  not  stop  when  our  brother  left  us. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  spoke  of  the  difficulties  of  the  ordinary 
pastor  in  winning  souls  to  Christ.  He  did  not  share  in  the  ap- 
prehensions of  some,  that  Mr.  H.  would  impair  the  friendly  re- 
lations between  pastor  and  people.  He  believed  that  his  ob- 
ject was  to  bring  souls  to  Jesus  and  not  to  himself.  He  sug- 
gested that  other  Christians  strive  to  become  better  Christians, 
and  adopt  modes  of  action  more  aggressive,  come  into  closer 
contact,  and  not  be  satisfied  with  planting  their  weapons  at  a 
distance  and  firing  them  occasionally,  but  to  draw  near  the 
enemy  and  grapple  with  him.  He  thought  Christians  had 
learned  much  within  a  few  weeks,  and  he  thanked  God  for  it. 
He  closed  by  addressing  himself  to  that  class  who  had  not  yield- 
ed to  God,  some  of  whom  had  attended  the  meetings,  but  ap- 
parently to  little  or  no  effect,  asking  them  if  they  were  willing 
to  go  on  as  they  are,  to  call  the  question  settled,  to  have  it  said 
that  Mr.  H.  had  come  here,  labored,  prayed,  plead  and  be- 
sought them  to  come  to  Jesus,  and  they  rejected  Him,  grieved 
*^he  Spirit,  hardened  their  hearts  against  God,  and  would  not 
yield  ? 

"  Mr.  Fessenden  said  the  scene  before  us  was  inspiriting.  He 
had  stood  before  larger  assemblies,  but  never  before  one  of  this 
character.  He  had  seen  large  assemblies  do  honor  to  men  from 
abroad,  to  victors,  heroes  and  civilians,  who  had  done  well  for 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  279 

their  country,  but  never  had  he  seen  anything  of  this  kind  be- 
fore. He  felt  a  pleasure  tinged  with  sadness  as  he  stood  before 
that  great  audience ;  and  he  would  take  occasion  to  express  his 
attachment  to  Mr.  H.,  who  was  soon  to  depart  from  us.  Be- 
fore passing  to  that,  he  wished  to  allude  to  what  had  been  said 
by  a  clergyman  present,  that  he  had  no  fear  that  Mr.  H.  would 
lead  any  from  their  attachment  to  their  pastors.  He  believed 
that  no  bad  effect  would  arise  from  it ;  that  he  could  speak 
only  for  one,  but  in  his  opinion  great  good  would  come  from  it. 
He  felt  it  so  himself.  He  believed  the  bonds  would  be  strength- 
ened by  such  measures.  He  believed  that  he  had  experienced  a 
great  change  in  that  respect.  It  has  been  said  that  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  aggressive,  and  had  taught  Christians  they  should  be 
aggressive.  That  is  true  ;  the  church  should  be  aggressive — it 
is  the  church  militant. 

"  No  one  had  ever  followed  him  to  the  portals  of  the  church, 
to  urge  him  to  go  back  and  listen  to  what  might  be  said,  and  to 
remain  in  the  inquiry  meeting,  till  Mr.  H.,  on  a  certain  even- 
ing a  few  weeks  ago.  God  in  sovereign  mercy  had  blest  his 
soul  as  he  trusted,  and  he  thanked  him  to-night  that  he  made 
Mr.  H.  in  any  way  to  contribute  to  the  result  of  which  he  had 
spoken. 

"  Mr.  F.  alluded  to  the  peculiarity  of  the  occasion,  that  Mr. 
H.  came  here  a  short  time  ago,  not  as  a  distinguished  warrior, 
or  great  statesman,  claiming  the  praise  of  meritorious  service, 
but  as  a  simple  soldier  of  the  banner  of  the  Cross.  He  would 
not  recount  his  labors,  they  were  familiar  to  all.  He  spoke  of 
his  success  in  winning  the  hearts  of  children  to  Christ,  of  his 
earnestness  in  seeking  the  unity  and  co-operation  of  all  Chris- 
tians. The  argument,  the  illustration  and  the  appeals  he  had 
made  to  the  same.  The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire,  but  we 
do  not  asssemble  to-night  to  pay  a  debt  of  wages  to  xMr.  H. ,  but 
to  thank  (^rod,  and  assure  Mr.  H.  of  our  attachment  and  affec- 
tion, and  to  present  him  a  slight  token  of  our  regard.     The 


280  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

reward  of  his  services  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  will,  we  trus2, 
find  in  another  and  better  world. 

"  In  addressing  Mr.  H.  he  said,  '  that  in  behalf  of  all  who 
had  spoken  to-night,  and  in  behalf  of  a  large  circle  of  appreciat- 
ing friends,  who  had  contributed  a  purse  of  money  as  a  token 
of  their  respect,  and  who  now  welcome  you  again  to  our  midst, 
for  a  day,  I  present  you  this,  which  you  will  please  receive  as 
an  indication  of  our  esteem,  and  with  our  prayers  for  your 
prosperity  and  success  in  the  years  to  come.' 

"  Mr.  H.  replied  in  a  most  affecting  manner,  thanking  Mr.  F. 
for  the  token, and  repeating  the  expressions  of  gratitude  to  the 
many  friends  who  had  given  him  evidence  of  their  esteem.  He 
did  not  take  to  himself  any  praise  for  what  had  been  accomplish- 
ed, but  attributed  it  to  God,  and  under  him,  a  large  share  to 
the  ministers,  who  had  all  co-operated  with  him  in  the  kindest 
manner  in  the  work.  He  referred  to  several  things  of  a  most 
happy  character.  He  spoke  feelingly  of  the  children  and  gave 
them  some  timely  counsel.  He  read  from  Paul's  farewell  ad- 
dress to  the  Ephesians,  with  great  effect.  For  want  of  room, 
we  are  obliged  to  omit  his  remarks.  But  they  were  character- 
istic.    The  audience  were  in  tears,  and  all  hearts  moved. 

"  The  silence  of  Rev.  Mr.  Tufts  on  the  above  occasion  was  at- 
tributable to  his  reporting  the  above. 

"  The  remarks  were  interspersed  with  the  singing  of  familiar 
and  inspiring  hymns  by  the  large  audience." 

We  providentially  visited  this  pleasant  city,  and 
beheld  and  heard  much  of  the  results  of  the  great 
revival.  We  savr  hundreds,  a  large  portion  of  whom 
had  sweetly  expressed  hope,  rise  together  and 
sing,  "  I  love  Jesus  " — a  spectacle  never  to  be  for- 
gotten— following  as  it  did,  the  graphic  experiences 
of  several  who  felt  that  they  were  "  brands  plucked 


OF   THE    HOLY    SIMRIT.  281 

from  the  burning."  This  work  of  grace  opened  a 
new  era  in  the  history  of  the  town — and  God  alone 
can  trace  its  streams  of  influence  in  their  own  sweep 
to  eternity. 

In  early  summer,  in  obedience  to  the  repeated  call 
of  Christians  in  Brunswick,  the  beautiful  seat  of 
Bowdoin  College,  and  twenty  miles  from  Lewiston, 
the  Evangelist  entered  upon  a  course  of  systematic 
effort  there,  to  concentrate  and  use  for  the  salvation 
of  souls,  the  faith  and  working  power  of  the 
churches. 

There  had  been  a  burden  on  the  hearts  of  some 
connected  with  the  College,  both  for  it — consecrated 
to  Christ  by  prayer — and  the  people  of  the  town, 
perhaps  never  known  without  a  blessing  near. 

Dr.  Adams'  large  and  beautiful  church  was  soon 
thronged ;  and  with  him,  on  the  platform,  were 
gathered  the  Faculty  of  the  College. 

One  of  the  Professors  of  the  College  writes  to  a 
religious  paper : 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  has  now  been  with  us  two  weeks,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit  has  been  present  to  set  his  seal  to  the  words  of 
truth  uttered  by  him.  Many  among  us  are  rejoicing  in  Christ, 
and  we  may  add,  the  work  is  increasing  in  power,  reaching  the 
hearts  of  the  strong  men.  At  almost  every  meeting,  some  of 
the  students  in  College  stand  up  for  the  first  time,  to  speak  from 
the  fulness  of  their  hearts  of  what  God  has  done  for  them.  A 
number  of  these  students,  in  company  with  others,  assisted  in 
conducting  several  meetings  the  last  week,  in  the  outskirts  of 
the  town.    Last  Friday,  P.  M.,  Mr.  H.,  accompanied  by  Kev.  E. 


282  THE   HARVEST   WOKK 

P.  Whittlesley,  and  a  number  of  college  students,  recently  inter- 
ested, and  others,  went  over  to  Bowdoinham,  eight  miles  from 
Brunswick,  to  hold  several  meetings.  One  was  held  in  the 
open  air.  And  the  interesting  account  which  these  young  men 
gave  of  their  recent  conversion,  caused  many  men  to  wipe  away 
the  falling  tears.  Yes,  the  good  Spirit  was  there,  and  we  hope 
to  hear  of  blessed  results  connected  with  this  one  visit  to  Bow- 
doinham. A  childrens'  meeting  was  held  in  the  afternoon,  and 
also  a  meeting  in  the  church  in  the  evening. 

"Saturday  last.  Rev.  A.  C.  Adams  and  Rev.  Mr.  Balkam, 
accompanied  with  about  300  youth  and  children  from  Lewiston 
(the  greater  part  of  them  young  converts)  made  us  a  visit  of  a 
few  hours.  An  open  air  meeting  was  conducted  on  the  com- 
mon by  Mr.  H.,  immediately  on  their  arrival.  It  ie  supposed 
1500  persons  were  present.  A  very  solemn  impression  was 
made  at  the  meeting  by  one  of  the  students,  who  stated  in  his 
address,  that  he  came  to  the  first  open  air  meeting  held  by  Mr. 
H.,  six  days  ago,  an  infidel  and  now  he  stood  up,  in  the  same 
place,  a  witness  for  Jesus.  From  the  common,  the  children 
went  to  the  church.  It  was  the  afternoon  for  the  childrens' 
meeting  ;  and  it  was  deeply  interesting  to  listen,  while  several 
of  the  boys  from  Lewiston,  in  a  calm  and  clear  voice,  told  the 
story  of  their  conversion.  Surely,  we  are  now  witnessing 
scenes  not  unlike  those  when  the  multitude  shouted  Hosanna, 
and  the  children  were  permitted  by  Jesus  to  lisp  his  praises, — 
when  He  Himself  welcomed  them  by  his  own  tender  voic«,  and 
loving  hands  placed  upon  their  heads,  close  to  his  side. 

"  Having  come  on  a  flying  visit  to  the  beautiful  seat  of  Bow- 
doin  College,  we  found  the  work  of  God  progressing  with  quiet 
but  deepening  interest.  On  Saturday  afternoon,  June  14th,  at 
2  )' clock,  a  meeting  was  held  on  the  common.  A  large  multi- 
tude gathered  around  the  stand,  on  which  were  seated,  with 
Mr.  Hammond,  Professor  Chadbourne,  Dr.  Adams,  of  Br  vof 
wick,  Dr.  Carruthers,  of  Portland,  and  others. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  283 

"  Dr.  AdamB  opened  the  meeting  ■with  singing.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond then  spoke  for  half  an  hour,  and  Rev.  P.  C.  Headley  made 
a  few  remarks  in  connection  with  the  revival  in  Plymouth, 
Mass.  ;  a  converted  student  of  the  Junior  class  in  college,  fol- 
lowed with  an  earnest  appeal ;  and  Dr.  Adams,  Dr  Carruthers, 
and  others,  impressively  addressed  the  concourse.  Tears  were 
shed,  and  great  solemnity  prevailed.  In  every  part,  the  meet- 
ing was  a  complete  success,  making  all  to  feel,  as  Dr.  Carruthers 
fiaid,  that  these  apostolic  methods  of  reaching  and  saving  men, 
may  be  now  wisely  employed." 

Writes  an  intelligent  lady  of  high  position : 

"  The  case  of  a  blind  girl, whose  spiritual  eyes  have  been  open- 
ed to  see  Jesus,  has  excited  much  interest.  We  cannot  describe 
the  scene,  when,  with  tears  streaming  down  her  large,  dark 
eyes,  she  spoke  of  having  found  Jesus,  and  of  her  desire  to  go 
to  the  Asylum  of  the  Blind,  that  she  might  be  taught  to  read  the 
Bible.  Oh  !  ye  who  have  eyes,  and  see  not,  remember  the  case 
of  this  poor  blind  girl,  and  ask,  why  am  I  blind,  when  I  have 
eyes  to  see — eyes  to  read  the  word  of  God  ?  A  dear  little  boy 
of  eight  years  died,  while  the  meetings  were  in  progress,  and  re- 
peated often  during  his  illness  the  texts  he  heard  from  the  lips 
of  Mr.  Hammond.  He  left  a  little  letter  to  Mr.  H.  unfinished. 
He  and  his  little  sister  of  four  years,  died  the  same  night,  of 
scarlet  fever,  and  were  placed  in  the  same  casket.  And  the 
mother  is  smiling  through  her  tears,  knowing  her  lambs  are 
gathered  home  to  the  bosom  of  Jesus. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  calculate  the  length  and  breadth  of  this 
revival, — the  number  of  souls  hopefully  converted,  and  the  stUl 
greater  numbers  probably  awakened,  as  never  before,  to  believe 
in  the  reality  of  personal  religion.  These  persons  are  of  all 
classes  and  ages,  both  of  men  and  women,  youth  and  children. 
The  Medical  class  had  nearly  closed  its  session,  when  Mr.  H. 
commenced  his  labors,  and  yet  some  students  tarried  a  few  days 
and  were  blessed.     Other   strangers,  visiting  B.,  have  carried 


284  THE   HARVEST  WORK. 

away  a  blessing.  The  college  is  blessed.  There  is  a  deepening 
of  the  work  of  grace  among  the  Christians  in  College,  as  well 
as  in  town.  And  a  goodly  number  of  students  are  rejoicing  in 
newfound  hopes,  and  aims,  and  purposes  to  live,  not  unto  them- 
selves, but  unto  Him  who  has  loved  them  and  died  for  them.  Oh! 
how  gentle,  yet  soul  subduing  have  been  the  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  resting  on  the  minds  and  hearts  of  these  dear 
youth." 

The  following  is  an  interesting  story  of  a  conver- 
sion, published  in  the  Eeligious  Herald  : 

"  The  spring  of  1862,  found  me  a  gay  and  thoughtless  girl. 
Nineteen  years  of  my  life  had  passed  amidst  Christian  influences. 
During  all  these  years  the  Spirit  of  God  had  often  visited  my 
heart,  urging  me  to  seek  Christ,  and  devote  the  morning  of  my 
life  to  his  service,  but  I  had  turned  coldly  away  from  all  its  in- 
fluences, and  refused  to  accept  Christ  as  my  friend  and  guide. 
The  first  meeting  held  by  you  in  Brunswick,  I  attended  merely 
out  of  curiosity.  At  the  close  of  the  service  an  inquiry  meeting 
was  appointed,  but  I  had  no  disposition  to  remain,  and  went 
home  resolved  that  I  would  not  attend  any  more  of  the  meet- 
ings, for  I  knew  they  would  make  me  feel  restless  and  unhappy. 

"  But,  when  the  next  meeting  came,  and  the  bells  commenced 
ringing  for  service,  something  in  their  very  ringing  seemed  to 
say  to  me  '^o.'  I  went,  and  during  that  evening  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  striving  with  me,  but  I  withstood  its  influence,  and  passed 
out  of  the  chMTch,  regardless  of  the  urgent  request  for  any  one, 
who  would  like  to  converse  on  the  subject  of  religion,  to  remain. 
I  had  proceeded  but  a  few  steps,  when  some  friends  proposed  re- 
turning just  to  see  what  would  be  said  to  us.  We  went  back, 
but  scarcely  any  thing  was  said  personally  to  me  as  I  sat  with 
others.  The  next  evening  I  did  not  wish  to  remain  at  the  in- 
quiry meeting,  but,as  all  from  Topsham  stopped,  I  was  obliged 
to      The  Spirit  was  still  hovering  round,  softly  yet  earnestly 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIHIT.  285 

pleading  with  me,  and  for  fear  that  I  should  mauifest  some 
signs  of  the  deep  emotions  I  felt,  I  took  a  seat  apart  from  the 
rest.  I  hai  sat  but  a  moment,  when  you  (whom  I  most  dread- 
ed to  meet  and  tried  to  shun) ,  came  along  and  addressed  me  with 
the  simple  words,  '  Do  you  love  Jesus?  '  I  answered,  not  as  I 
should.  You  then  asked  me  if  I  wanted  to  be  a  Christian,  to 
which  I  replied  that  I  had  no  convictions.  You  talked  a  few 
moments,  and  then  wanted  me  to  kneel  down,  while  you  pray- 
ed. I  refused  to  do  this,  but  you  prayed  very  earnestly  for  me, 
told  me  to  read  the  3d  chapter  of  John,  and  left  me.  I  tried 
to  forget  what  you  said,  but  the  few  simple  words,  '  Do  you 
love  Jesus  ?  '  haunted  me.  I  could  not  forget  them.  They  ex- 
cited in  my  heart  the  deepest  feelings.  I  thought  how  much  I 
ought  to  love  Jesus.  How  kind  he  had  been  to  me  since  my 
angel  mother  passed  away.  I  remembered,  too,  that  he  was 
my  mother^s  God.  That  he  sustained  and  comforted  her  in 
sickness,  enabling  her  to  leave  her  children  in  His  protecting 
care,  and  made  the  gloomy  '  valley  of  death  '  bright  with  His 
presence.  It  seemed  as  if  I  could  almost  feel  her  hand  resting 
upon  me,  and  hear  her  voice  urging  me  to  love  Jesus,  and  meet 
her  in  heaven.  I  spent  a  very  restless  night.  During  the  next 
day  scarcely  a  moment  passed,  in  which  something  did  not  bring 
to  my  mind  the  question,  '  Do  you  love  Jesus  ? '  Everything  in- 
animate seemed  suddenly  to  have  acquired  voices,  and  to 
whisper  me  reproachfully,  '  Do  you  love  Jesus  ?  '  In  this  state 
of  mind  I  attended  the  meetings  for  more  than  a  week,  keeping 
my  convictions  entirely  to  myself.  Sometimes  the  sinful 
pleasures  and  follies  which  I  must  renounce  if  I  became  a 
Christian,  appeared  very  attractive  to  me.  But  I  felt  assured 
that  they  could  never  really  satisfy  me,  that  there  was  a  gulf 
in  my  heart, which  nothing  but  the  peace  of  Christ  could  fill. 
Pride  and  the  Spirit  of  God  were  having  a  severe  contest  in  my 
heart.  I  feared  above  all  things  that  people  should  think  I 
was  serious.     I  plead  an  excuse  for  stopping  at  the  inquiry 


286  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

meetings,  that  I  was  willing  to  put  myself  in  the  way  of  con- 
victions— that  many  stopped  from  curiosity,  while  all  the  time 
I  wanted  to  he  a  Christian.  At  this  time  you  preached  from  the 
words,  *  Why  persecutest  thou  me  ?  '  Every  word  went  home 
to  my  heart.  The  thought  that  Jesus,  sitting  at  the  right  hand 
of  the  Father  in  glory,  should  stoop  so  low  as  to  plead  with  sin- 
ners and  say, '  Why,  oh  why,'  affected  me  greatly.  He  seemed 
to  appeal  directly  to  me,  and  to  say,  what  have  I  done  that  you 
will  persecute  me.  I  could  bring  no  charge  against  the  Friend 
of  sinners.  He  had  ever  been  to  me  a  merciful  God,  full  of 
forbearance  and  long-suffering,  and  I  had  repaid  all  his  good- 
ness by  rejecting  his  love — by  trampling  under  foot  the  blood  of 
atonement — by  resisting  the  Spirit — by  despising  heaven  and 
putting  the  world  in  the  place  of  God.  That  why  added  great- 
ly to  my  unhappiness.  The  following  Saturday  I  attended  a 
childrens'  meeting.  As  I  was  leaving  the  church, you  spoke  to 
me  and  asked  what  kept  me  from  Jesus?  I  answered  truly, 
fear  of  the  world.  That  evening  you  preached  from  the  words, 
<  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.' 
During  the  discourse  you  said,  '  I  see  before  me  a  young  lady, 
who  told  me  deliberately,  this  afternoon,  that  fear  of  the  world 
kept  her  from  Jesus.  Oh  !  my  young  friend,  you  may  meet  those 
you  now  fear  in  torment,  and  there  they  may  say,  *  'T  was  you 
that  hindered  me  from  being  a  Christian.'  As  you  spoke, my 
sins  arose  before  me  in  all  their  terrible  greatness,  and  I  saw 
myself  lost, /or  ei;er  lost  without  Christ  as  an  Almighty  Saviour. 
Before  you  closed  your  discourse, you  spoke  of  the  willingness 
of  Christ,  and  represented  Him  as  saying  '  Come  unto  me.' 
An  invitation  was  given  for  all  who  wished  to  become  Christians 
to  rise.  I  did  want  to  become  a  Christian,  but  j)ride  rose  in 
my  heart  stronger  than  ever,  and  for  a  moment  conquered. 
The  singing  commenced.  '  Do  n't  reject  Him  just  now.'  Pride 
gave  way,  and  I  resolved,  God  helping  me,  that  I  would  no 
longer  reject  Christ,  but  would  seek  him  with  full  purpose  of 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  287 

heart.  Looking  back  upon  that  evening,  I  feel  that  it  wels  with 
me  the  turning  point,  and  cannot  but  exclaim, 

*  0  happy  day  that  fixed  my  choice 
On  thee  my  Saviour  and  my  God.' 

Never  shall  I  forget  the  encouraging  words  that  fell  from  your 
lips  that  evening.  You  prayed  with  me, commending  me  to  the 
care  of  our  heavenly  Father.  I  went  alone  to  my  room,  read 
some  precious  promise  of  Christ,  and  knelt,  determined  never  to 
rise  unless  convinced  that  I  was  saved  or  lost.  I  told  him, 
that  I  came  in  dependence  on  his  own  promise  that  he  would  re- 
ceive sinners,  and  tuni  none  away.  I  asked  him  to  fulfil  his 
word,  and  repeated, 

*  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  lue, 
And  that  thou  bidst  me  come  to  thee, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come.' 

The  burden  rolled  away  from  my  heart,  and  peace  like  a  river 
was  mine.  I  had  imagined  I  should  have  ^reat  ecstatic  joj,  and 
the  reality  was  so  different  that  I  very  soon  began  to  doubt,  and 
the  sky  again  became  clouded.  That  Sabbath  evening, when  an 
invitation  was  extended  to  those  who  had  given  up  all  for  the 
Lord,  and  who  could  sing,  '  'Tis  done,  the  great  transaction's 
done,'  to  rise,  I  remained  seated.  I  knew  that  I  had  yielded 
all,  but  I  had  none  of  that  rapturous  joy  many  mention  of,  and 
the  Tempter  whispered  that  1  should  be  acting  the  hypocrite, 
and  ha.d  better  wait  until  I  was  sure  that  I  was  a.  Christian. 
That  whisper  turned  the  scale,  and  I  immediately  went  back  in- 
to deep  darkness.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  encouraging  words 
spoken  to  me  at  this  most  trying  time,  I  should  have  despaired 
of  salvation,  and  gone  back  again  to  the  cold  world.  I  lived  in 
this  way  for  nearly  a  week.  The  following  Friday  evening,  at 
fiix  o'clock,  you  were  to  meet  me  at  the  Mercy-Seat,  and  I 


28^^  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

again  cast  myself  on  Jesus,  asking  him  to  forgive  me  for  denying 
him  before  the  world,  and  solemnly  promised  never  to  deny  him 
again.  The  sweet  peace  I  had  lost  by  disobedience  returned 
to  my  heart,  and  I  felt  a  calm,  resting,  trusting  in  Jesus.  I 
confessed  him  before  the  world  that  very  evening,  by  rising  with 
Christians,  and  found  additional  happiness  and  strength  by 
conversing  with  those  who  were  sinners,  and  telling  them  the 
simple  way  in  which  I  found  Jesus." 

Another  story  of  God's  mercy  in  salvation  is 
given  by  one,  who  emerged  from  the  darkness  of 
error  and  unbelief: 

"  Six  years  ago,  visiting  in  a  Methodist  family,  whose  every 
member  was  Christian,  I  discovered  a  beauty  and  value  of  a  re- 
ligious experience,  I  had  never  realized  before,  in  softening  and 
beautifying  the  character,  and  controlling  the  wayward  ten- 
dencies of  every  nature,  subject  to  the  temptations  of  a  city  life, 
an  exalted  station  in  society,  and  worldly  wealth.  The  dear 
friends'  anxious  solicitude  for  my  conversion,  exhibited  in  lov- 
ing warnings,  tears,  and  prayers,  touched  my  heart,  and  more, 
because  it  was  their  desire,  than  from  an  owned  sense  of  duty 
to  God. 

"  Knowing  what  must  be  tne  effect  of  such  unceasing  efforts 
upon  a  sick  head,  it  gave  power  to  your  words  over  me,  through 
your  sacrifice  ;  thus  I  listened  and  learned,  till  I  came  to  lose 
thought  of  you  wholly,  and  accept  instead,  Jesus'  words  and 
promises.  For  days  I  worked  hard,  trying  to  do  for  myself,  till 
one  Tuesday  evening,  going  home  from  meeting,  a  friend  in- 
quired of  me  my  state  of  feeling,  and  I  said,  '  I  have  done  every 
thing  I  know  how  to  do ;  and  now,  if  Jesus  accepts  me,  he  must 
take  me  as  I  am,  or  not  at  all,'  not  thinking  it  was  all  he  requir- 
ed ;  and,as  I  said  and  felt  this,  my  burdened  heart  knew  its  first 
peace.    It  seemed  like  awaking  from  a  disturbed  sleep,  so  quiet 


OF   THL   HOLY    SPIRIT.  289 

and  calm  was  my  hitherto  troubled  heart.  I  was  not  even 
then  fully  assured,  but, going  home,  took  my  Bible  and  read  the 
first  of  John,  prayed  with  new  zeal,  and  lay  me  down  sweetly 
to  sleep,  as  I  had  not  for  many  nights  before.  In  the  morning 
I  awoke  with  a  song  of  praise  in  my  heart,  and  ever  since  have 
been  quietly  happy,  only  regretting  wasted  time  and  lost  op- 
portunities of  serving  God.  And  now  I  must  tell  you  this, 
that  even  my  poor,  weak  prayers  have  been  heard,  and  God  has 
heard  my  mother'' s  cry^ 

It  was  the  writer's  privilege  to  go  amid  the  mem- 
orable scenes  of  that  deep  and  blessed  work  of  the 
Spirit ;  to  meet  with  the  students  when  the  heaven- 
ly influence  pervaded  the  college ;  to  stand  with  the 
pastor  who  has  long  been  over  the  flock  of  Christ, 
in  the  sanctuary  of  God,  and  open  air,  when  none 
could  doubt  the  presence  of  the  most  High. 

More  hallowed  hours,  fresh  and  fragrant  still  in 
memory,  we  have  never  known  in  all  the  experiences 
of  Pentecostal  blessings. 


CHAPTEE  X. 


Revival  Meeting  in  Portland— Its  Origin  and  Object— Addresses 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Carnithers  and  seven  other  Pastors  from  Maine — 
Summary  of  Principles  — Beloit  —  Montreal  —  Ordination — 
"Burnt  Over  Districts"— Chicago— Philadelphia— Halifax— 
Elmira— Peoria— Towanda—  Palestine— England—  Ireland — 
Scotland — Vernon,  Ct. —  Rochester,  N,  Y. —  Lockport— In- 
dianapolis— Cincinnati— Evansville,  Ind. — Milwaukee — Kan- 
sas— St.  Louis — Galveston — California  —  Harrisburg  — Wash- 
ington, D.  C. — Syracuse — Estimate  by  Dr.  C.  L.  Thompson. 


On  Monday  evening,  June  23d,  a  large  audience, 
filling  the  church  edifice  of  the   Second  Parish,  in 
the  city  of  Portland,  assembled  to  hold  a  Kevival 
Meeting,  as  it  was  called  by  the  pastor ;  the  first  of 
the  kind,  we  think,  ever  convened  in  this  country. 
The  idea  originated  with  Dr.  Carruthers,  by  whom 
it  was  carried  out  in  detail,  with  the  cordial  co-ope- 
ration of  all  the  Christian  people  with  whom  he  con- 
ferred on  the  subject.     The  particular  evening  was 
selected,  because   the  following  day  was  the  time 
appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  General  Conference 
of  the  State  of  Maine,  and  many  clergymen  and 
others  could  attend,  with  reference  to  the  anniver- 
sary meetings  of  the  week ;  and  it  was  also  hoped, 
that   the   influence  of  such  an  occasion   would  be 
pleasant  and   elevating,  upon  the  churches   which 
were   represented  there,  during  the  sessions  of  Con- 
ference. 

The  plan  of  meeting  was,  with  the  usual  religious 
services,  to  have  brief  addresses  from  seven  of  the 


Ot'   THi:   ttOLY   SPIRIT.  291 

pastors,  in  whose  parishes  there  had  been  revivals 
during  the  winter  and  spring.  At  seven  o'clock, 
Dr.  Carruthers  opened  the  meeting  with  a  very 
appropriate  and  impressive  hymn. 

This  was  followed  by  reading  the  4th  chapter  of 
2d  Corinthians.  Rev.  P.  C.  Headley  offered  prayer. 
After  singing  another  hymn,  the  pastor  spoke  of  the 
precious  work  of  grace  in  his  congregation,  whose 
fruits  remained  ^o  the  glory  of  God  ;  and  eloquently 
expressed  his  hope  that  these  manifestations  of  the 
sovereign  Spirit's  power,  might  be  the  bright  as- 
surances of  a  glorious  future  for  the  churches  of  the 
Redeemer. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wheelright,  of  Bethel,  was  the  next 
speaker.  He  commenced  his  address  with  much 
feeling,  which  threw  a  subduing  influence  over  the 
audience.  He  said  he  came  to  Portland  last  Novem- 
ber, and,  as  he  entered  this  church  one  evening,  the 
congregation  was  singing,  "  Oh  to  grace  how  great  a 
debtor !  "  and  his  heart  was  fiUed  with  joy  at  the 
words.  He  felt  that  God  was  there  ;  and  asked,  can 
he  not  bless  Bethel?  And  cannot  brother  H.  come 
and  help  gather  in  the  harvest  ?  He  went  home,  re- 
solved to  go  to  work  for  souls,  and  strive  to  bring 
them  to  Christ.  Mr.  W.  then  gave  an  outline  of 
the  efforts  and  results,  which  is  found  in  the  pre- 
ceding pages ;  closing  with  the  statement,  that 
*'  when  he  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Carruthers,  in- 
viting him  to  attend   this   meeting,  he  asked  the 


292  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

j^oung  converts  what  he  should  tell  the  people  — 
whether  he  should  say  the  interest  of  months  past 
had  been  all  excitement.  They  replied,  "  no  ;  tell 
them  God  is  here."  He  believed  God  was  in 
Bethel.  He  did  not  wish  to  call  names,  but  loved 
Bro.  Hammond,  as  he  loved  his  own  soul.  God 
blesses  earnest  efforts  ;  and  the  minister,  who  labors 
most  earnestly,  will  be  the  most  successful. 

Eev.  Mr.  Garland,  of  the  Second  Church,  Bethel, 
followed,  remarking,  that  in  a  few  words  he  could 
add,  God  has  been  blessing  the  town  with  the  power 
of  his  Spirit,  Mothers  in  Israel  had  been  praying — 
one  of  them  for  several  days,  prayed  all  the  time  ; 
and  had  just  gone  to  heaven.  The  triumph  of  the 
Cross  was  complete.  Men,not  fit  for  the  society  of 
decent  people,  were  converted  and  began  to  preach 
that  sinners  must  be  born  again.  Accessions  had 
been  made  to  the  church,  and  others  are  soon  to  be 
added.  It  needed  no  human  eulogies,  to  exalt  such 
a  work  as  had  been  witnessed  in  Bethel. 

Kev.  J.  O.  Fiske,  of  the  Winter  St.  Church,  Bath, 
commenced  his  statement  of  the  work  there,  as  fol- 
lows :  The  best  I  can  say  is,  to  tell  you  what  I  saw 
in  Lewiston,  last  evening.  Seven  persons,  mature 
in  years  and  experience,  rose  one  after  the  other, 
and  offered  prayer ;  and  then  the  young  converts. 
I  forgot  that  I  was  tired  by  eight  o'clock.  One 
man  said  that  he  had  not  been  to  meeting  for  years, 
but  felt  he  must  go  and  hear  Mr.  Balkam  preach. 


OF  THE    HOLT  SPIRIT.  293 

The  eermon  reached  his  heart,  and  soon  he  found 
Jesus.  He  rejoiced  to  tell  them,  he  was  witnessing 
similar  scenes  in  Bath.  Not  unfrequently  we  see  a 
reviving  religious  interest,  and  then  it  subsides. 
But  the  work  had  been  deep  in  that  city.  Much 
earnest  prayer  had  preceded  it — some  persons  spent 
the  whole  night  wrestling  with  God.  He  went  to 
Portland  and  saw  such  indications  as  constrained 
him  to  send  for  Mr.  Hammond ;  and  he  thanked 
God  upon  every  remembrance  of  him,  in  his  prayers. 
Mr.  F.  then  sketched  graphically  the  thrilHng  scenes, 
whose  narrative  we  have  given. 

Rev.  Mr.  South  worth,  of  South  Paris,  said,  every 
true  revival  must  be  the  work  of  God,  and  it  must 
also  be  carried  forward  by  men — by  preaching  and 
prayer,  and  effort.  The  stated  ministry  was  indis- 
pensable, but  we  ought  to  use  such  other  instru- 
ments, as  God  raises  up  from  time  to  time.  Evan- 
gelists had  their  place,  among  the  saving  agencies  he 
employed.  Mr.  S.  spoke  very  earnestly  and  feel- 
ingly, of  the  increase  of  the  spirit  of  prayer,  of  the 
attendance  upon  meetings — of  the  indications  of 
God's  providence  and  grace,  which  led  the  church  to 
send  for  help.  He  went  to  Bath,  and  saw  the  per- 
sonal efforts  of  Mr.  H. — ^never  before,  saw  and  felt 
how  to  approach  men,  although  he  believed  he  loved 
their  souls.  He  had  the  assistance  of  the  evacgelist 
but  two  days,  but  was  taught  things  he  had  not 
learned  before.     Dr.  Carruthers  and  Dr.  Chickering 


294  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

also  came  to  his  help.  It  would  take  a  long  time  to 
tell  what  God  had  wrought,  subduing  strong  men, 
and  bringing  babes  to  Christ.  A  little  boy  was  con- 
verted— asked  God  to  bless  his  father — went  home 
and  erected  a  family  altar,  and  still  kept  it  up. 

Another  was  so  deeply  impressed,  that  he  said,  he 
loved  Christ,  but  did  not  know  as  Christ  loved  him. 
Soon  the  Spirit  revealed  Jesus  to  his  heart.  The 
work  had  been  characterized  by  a  vivid  sense  of 
guilt.  Aged  Christians  were  sure,  they  had  never 
seen  so  pungent  convictions  of  sin,  in  any  previous 
revival.  Forty-four  had  united  with  the  church, 
and  more  were  coming  forward.  He  closed  with 
an  urgent  request,  for  an  interest  in  the  petitions  of 
all,  at  the  throne  of  grace. 

At  this  point  of  great  interest,  prayer  was  offer- 
ed ;  and  the  congregation  sang  a  hymn. 

Eev.  Mr.  Howard,  of  Farmington,  was  rejoiced 
when  he  heard  of  this  meeting.  Edwards  declared 
that  one  great  means  of  promoting  the  work  of  God 
more  than  a  century  ago,  was  to  report  its  pro- 
gress, to  people  unvisited  by  the  divine  presence. 
He  thought  it  might  save  souls  in  Portland.  The 
past  winter  he  came  to  P.,  and  saw  strong  men  bow- 
ing to  Immanuel,  and  longed  to  transfer  the  scene 
to  Farmington.  He  went  to  Bath,  and  was  called  up 
at  dead  of  night,  to  pray  with  two  persons.  Return- 
ing home,  he  asked  his  people  what  they  should  do, 
to  develope  and  deepen  the  interest  apparent  among 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  296 

them.  They  replied,  something  must  be  done.  Br. 
Hammond  was  invited  to  come  and  help  them. 
The  snow-drifts  blocked  up  the  roads,  so  that  he 
could  not  get  there.  But  Christians  prayed  and 
worked  on — and  were  encouraged  by  a  letter  from 
young  ladies  in  Bath,  saying,  that  they  had  resolved 
to  pray,  till  the  blessing  came  to  F.  Neglectors  of 
the  sanctuary,  were  seen  at  church.  He  felt,  in  pre- 
paring for  the  pulpit,  that  he  must  present  more  dis- 
tinctly and  boldly,  the  doctrine  of  an  eternal  hell, 
and  feared  he  had  neglected  this  duty.  The  evan- 
gelist came,  and  the  work  swept  through  the  place. 
Rev.  Dr.  Tappan  rendered  timely  assistance,  and 
conversions  occurred  in  connection  with  his  earnest 
words.  The  fruits  of  the  revival  continued ;  — 
mutual  love,  and  good  works. 

God  has  followed  mercy  with  judgment.  4  com- 
pany of  men  used  to  scojQT.  One  of  these  was  smit- 
ten down  last  week,  and  died,  "  making  no  sign." 
His  wife  was  taken  with  the  same  fatal  disease,  dip- 
theria,  and  such  scenes, as  attended  her  death,  can 
never  be  forgotten.  She  knelt  on  the  bed,  leaning 
on  her  father,  and  asked  him  to  pray  for  her.  She 
had  known  that  the  Spirit  was  in  the  place,  but  trifled 
with,  and  grieved  him.  She  begged  for,  and  we 
hope  found  mercy. 

An  old  man  rose  in  meeting  before  he  left,  and 
asked  God  to  send  down  the  Holy  Spirit  on  this 


296  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

meeting ;  and  if  we  did  not  grieve  him  away,  that 
prayer  will  be  answered — it  will. 

Rev.  Mr.  Balkam,  of  Lewiston,  said  there  was  no 
rule  for  the  Spirit's  operations — striking  providences 
had  prepared  the  way.  With  the  rising  religious 
interest,  a  desire  was  expressed  by  those  who  had 
witnessed  the  work  in  Portland  and  Bath,  that  Mr. 
Hammond  should  be  invited  to  hold  a  series  of  meet- 
ings. One  of  the  pastors,  who  had  been  greatly 
burdened  for  the  city,  felt  the  suggestion  was  in 
answer  to  prayer,  and  united  with  his  ministerial 
brethren  in  extending  the  call.  During  four  weeks 
the  daily  meetings  were  thronged,  sometimes  filling 
two  churches  the  same  hour. 

Mr.  Balkam  dwelt  with  great  force  upon  the  out- 
lying masses,  which  could  only  be  reached  by  these 
special  efforts,  and  of  the  immediate  answers  to  the 
prayers  which  were  offered  in  the  vestry,  while  the 
word  was  being  preached  above.  The  lateness 
of  the  meetings,  was  unavoidable.  Thousands  were 
brought  under  conviction  of  sin,  and  had  there  been 
a  sufiicient  number  of  Christians  to  speak  and  pray 
with  the  anxious,  he  believed  there  would  have  been 
thousands  instead  of  hundreds,  converted.  The 
work  had  reached  all  classes,  from  the  most  refined 
and  educated,  to  the  most  degraded.  When  the 
question  of  compensation  arose,  he  was  assured  that 
there  would  be  no  difficulty  after  the  people  were 


OF    THE    HOLT    SPIRIT.  297 

once  interested,  and  he  was  happy  to  say  that  they 
had  not  forgotten  in  Levviston,  that  the  evangelist, 
as  well  as  the  pastor,  was  worthy  of  his  hire. 

Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  from  Auburn,  a  part  of  Lewis- 
ton  in  situation  and  business  interest,  and  separated 
only  by  a  river,  was  the  next  speaker.  He  said 
he  could  not,  like  some  who  had  preceded  him, 
speak  of  any  special,  visible  preparation  among  his 
people. 

The  work  with  them  was  sudden  and  powerful. 
He  had  long  felt,  that,  owing  to  his  ill  health,  he 
could  not  carry  on  the  extra  meetings  attendant  up- 
on a  revival  of  religion,  without  foreign  aid.  Mr. 
Hammond's  first  meetinor  for  children  was  one  of 
great  power.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  H.'s  address, 
hundreds  of  children,  among  them  two  of  his  own, 
remained  at  the  meeting,  many  of  them  weeping  for 
their  sins. 

And,  when  told  of  Jesus'  love  for  them,  they 
did  n't  know  any  better,  than  to  think  they  might 
then  believe  in  Jesus,  and  be  saved;  and  the  result 
has  shown  that  many  of  them  were  then  accepted  of 
Christ. 

When  he  met  Mr.  H.  in  Boston  last  fall,  he  urged 
him  to  devote  himself  to  the  great  work  of  preach- 
ing to  children  ;  and  he  was  now  more  convinced, 
that  he  could  not  spend  his  time  more  profitably. 

Prof.  Chadbourne,  of  Bowdoin  College,  Bruns- 
wick, spoke  with  much  feeling  of  the  yearning  fbr 


298  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

the  pastor's  office,  which  the  touching  narrations 
had  awakened.  He  then  sketched  in  outline  the 
powerful  work  in  B.,  including  the  college.  The 
evangelist  could  do  little  without  the  pastor.  To 
God  belonged  all  the  glory  of  salvation.  With  hes- 
itation he  gave  his  influence  in  favor  of  engaging  the 
services  of  Mr.  Hammond  last  winter,  for  the  way 
was  not  then  open.  But  he  blessed  God  for  what 
he  had  wrought  in  connection  with  them.  The 
work  of  conviction  was  deep. 

When  Mr.  H.  proposed  an  open  air  meeting,  he 
feared  the  result,  but  when,  a  few  days  after,  a 
student  spoke  of  an  arrow  of  conviction  having  then 
pierced  his  heart,  he  had  nothing  more  to  say. 

We  had  heard  much  about  the  way  being  prepar- 
ed in  other  places,  but  he  believed  the  Lord  also 
prepared  instruments  for  this  evangelistic  work. 
God  had  been  preparing  Mr.  H.  for  this  work. 
When  a  freshman  in  college,  he  was  the  same 
humble  earnest  laborer,  and  often  as  he  accompanied 
him  among  the  mountains,  he  had  been  rebuked,  to 
hear  him  talk  with  the  people  about  their  souls,  and 
asked  them  if  they  loved  Jesus,  as  easily  as  he  would 
ask  the  way  to  town. 

From  the  beginning,  the  exercises  were  deeply  in- 
teresting. The  waves  of  hallowed  influence  would 
sometimes  seem  to  lift  the  people  from  their  seats — 
so  marked  was  the  moral  power  of  the  occasion. 
We  are  permitted   to   quote  from   ''  Times   of 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  299 

Refreshing,"  an  excellent  work  by  Dr.  C.  L. 
Thompson,  editor  of  The  Interior ^  published  by 
Fairbanks,  Palmer  &  Co.,  Chicago,  a  brief  sum- 
mary of  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  from  this  time  till 
1877  ;  adding  a  few  notes  of  subsequent  labors  to 
complete  the  record  chronologically  to  1884: ;  giv- 
ing later  more  in  detail  harvest  scenes  in  some  of 
the  principal  fields.  It  is  impossible  to  include  in 
a  single  volume  the  record  of  many  places,  inci- 
dents, and  experiences  of  great  interest,  and  we 
must  be  content  with  the  imperfect,  and  therefore  at 
best  unsatisfactory  narrative  of  the  revival  work  of 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

"  During  the  same  year  (1862)  he  visited  Beloit,  "Wis. 
The  veteran  missionary,  Father  Gary,  urged  the  evangelist 
to  hold  meetings,  but  having  come  for  the  purpose  of  rest, 
he  declined.  During  the  afternoon  a  godly  woman,  having 
heard  of  his  presence,  came  to  him  and  said  :  '  The  Lord  has 
sent  you  here.  I  have  been  in  prayer  nearly  the  whole 
night.  We  must  have  meetings. '  Not  long  after  another 
Christian  woman  came  and  said  :  *  A  wonderful  spirit  of 
prayer  and  anxiety  has  come  over  me.  I  feel  that  we  must 
have  a  revival,  and  the  Lord  has  sent  you  here  to  help. ' 
Mr.  Hammond  replied  that  if  a  prayer-meeting  could  be 
arranged  for  that  (Saturday)  evening,  he  would  then  see 
what  were  the  indications  of  Providence  in  regard  to  it. 
This  was  at  four  o'clock.  This  woman  went  out  to  circu- 
late the  notice,  and  by  half  past  seven  a  large  company  were 
assembled.  The  next  day  they  had  a  crowded  and  solemn 
service,  and  at  the  close  of  it  nobody  left  the  house.  So 
Buddenlj  bad  the  Lord  come  to  His  temple  that  good  old 


300  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

Mr.  Gary  was  not  ready  to  go  down  and  converse  with  in- 
quirers. Speaking  of  his  hesitation  at  the  prayer-meeting 
on  Monday  morning,  he  said  :  *  The  Lord  came  too  sud- 
denly. I  wasn't  prepared  for  His  coming.  I  hoped  in  a 
few  days  to  see  souls  anxious  about  their  salvation,  and  by 
that  time  I  hoped  to  be  ready  to  meet  them  ;  but  I  feel  that 
the  Lord  has  come  to  me  now,  and  I  will  not  excuse  myself 
again  from  the  blessed  work  of  guiding  inquirers  to  Christ. ' 
The  meetings  in  Beloit  continued  for  only  a  few  days,  but 
decided  results  were  achieved. 

"  In  the  autumn  of  1863  Mr.  Hammond  held  services  in 
Montreal,  where  as  many  as  fifteen  hundred  sought  an  inter- 
est in  the  prayers  of  God's  people,  and  large  numbers  were 
converted. 

*'  In  the  following  winter  Mr.  Hammond  was  ordained  as 
an  evangelist  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  Dr.  Mark 
Hopkins  preaching  the  ordination  sermon.  He  then  held 
meetings  in  Brooklyn  and  Utica.  In  the  latter  city  there 
were  some  remarkable  scenes — depths  of  conviction,  and 
clear  and  decided  conversions  of  some  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  the  city.  When  Mr.  Hammond  left  New  York 
City  to  engage  in  work  in  the  central  part  of  the  State,  a 
friend  said  to  him  :  '  I  am  sorry  you  are  going  to  those 
burnt-over  districts.  You  will  not  find  fruitful  revival  fields 
there.'  The  evangelist,  therefore,  went  with  some  misgiv- 
ings. He  soon  found  his  mistake,  and  was  led  to  thank 
God  for  '  burnt-over  districts. '  He  found  those  old  men — 
who  were  converted  thirty  years  before,  under  the  labors  of 
■Finney  and  Knapp — were  like  war-horses,  used  to  the 
sounds  of  battle.  Not  easily  frightened  by  new  methods, 
they  entered  heartily  into  the  work,  and  gave  the  evangelist 
most  cordial  support. 

'*  In  the  spring  of  1864  Mr.  Hammond  began  services  in 
the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Chicago.      Here  Mr, 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  301 

Moody  and  Mr.  Hammond  worked  together,  the  former 
being  present  at  nearly  all  the  meetings,  taking  notes  and 
an  active  part.  The  meetings  in  Chicago  were  not  so  suc- 
cessful as  they  had  been  in  some  places,  partly  because  of 
the  lateness  of  the  season,  and  partly  because  the  meetings, 
instead  of  being  rooted  in  one  place,  were  moved  from  one 
side  of  the  river  to  another.  The  correspondent  of  the  New 
York  Independent  estimated  the  number  of  conversions  at 
nearly  or  quite  a  thousand.  In  1865  a  glorious  work  was 
begun  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  as  many  as  five  thousand 
were  present  at  open-air  services. 

**  During  that  winter  Mr.  Hammond  preached  for  ten 
weeks  at  Philadephia,  sometimes  in  churches,  sometimes  in 
the  Academy  of  Music,  in  which  latter  place  as  many  as 
five  hundred  rose  for  prayers  at  a  single  meeting. 

"  Then  followed  services  in  Halifax  and  other  towns  in 
Nova  Scotia ;  Binghamton,  Elmira,  Watkins,  N.  Y.  ; 
Towanda,  Pa.  ;  Corning  and  Erie  ;  and  Peoria,  HI.,  where 
it  is  thought  that  as  many  as  a  thousand  were  hopefully 
converted  to  Christ.  From  Peoria  Mr.  Hammond  went 
to  Springfield,  111.,  where  the  work  was  blessed  by  a  large 
number  of  remarkable  conversions. 

"  In  May,  1866,  Mr.  Hammond  was  married  in  Towanda, 
Pa.,  and  soon  afterward  started  with  his  wife  on  an  extend- 
ed tour  through  Scotland,  England,  France,  Italy,  Egypt, 
and  Palestine.  In  Jerusalem  and  Beirut  he  held  services, 
being  assisted  by  Bishop  Gobat  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
On  his  return  he  held  meetings  at  Naples,  Paris,  and  other 
places  on  the  Continent,  preaching  the  gospel  through  an 
interpreter.  After  visiting  scenes  of  his  former  labors  in 
Scotland,  in  the  spring  of  1867  he  held  services  for  six 
weeks  in  London.  His  work  among  the  children  there  was 
peculiarly  blessed,  and  has  been  developed  into  what  is 
called  the  Children's  Special  Service  Mission,  which  is  now 


302  THE  HARVEST  WORtC 

a  permanently  established  institution,  its  officers  being 
among  the  leading  men  of  London. 

"  During  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1867  he  continued 
his  evangelistic  labors  in  various  parts  of  Scotland,  England, 
and  Ireland,  and  returned  home  early  in  1868.  Like  Mr. 
Moody,  he  went  first  to  his  old  family  home  in  Vernon, 
Coun.,  and  preached  the  gospel  to  his  own  townsmen  and 
neighbors.  As  the  result,  several  of  his  own  relatives  were 
converted. 

"  During  this  year  he  returned  to  Rochester,  the  place 
where  his  work  had  been  so  blessed  before,  and  began  an- 
other series  of  meetings.  At  the  opening  meeting  he  was 
pressed  down  with  an  unusual  weight  of  prayer  that  that 
meeting  might  be  blessed. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  sermon,  while  speaking  of  the  valor 
with  which  men  under  earthly  leadership  would  brave  dan- 
ger, Tennyson's  *  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade '  came  so 
forcibly  to  his  mind  that  he  could  not  resist  the  desire  to 
repeat  it  entire.  At  the  close  of  the  service  a  lady  came  to 
Dr.  Shaw,  and  said  :  '  There  is  no  occasion  for  us  to  go  to 
the  theatre  now  :  you  provide  us  with  theatrical  entertain- 
ment here.'  Somewhat  alarmed  by  this  representation,  the 
good  doctor  said  to  Mr.  Hammond  :  *  This  will  cause  criti- 
cism.    You  must  not  be  so  theatrical.     Why  did  you  do  it  ? ' 

"'I  don't  know,'  answered  Mr.  Hammond.  *I  had 
prayed  very  earnestly  to  be  guided  in  this  sermon.  It  came 
to  me  like  an  inspiration,  and  I  used  it. ' 

*'  The  following  morning  a  fine-looking  elderly  man,  with 
a  bronzed  face,  called  on  Mr.  Hammond  and  said  :  '  I  was 
one  of  that  six  hundred  who  went  into  Balaklava.  I  am 
one  of  the  thirty-six  who  came  out  of  the  charge.  I  have 
been  in  a  hundred  battles,  but  never  until  last  night  did  I 
feel  myself  a  sinner.  My  wife  and  I  went  home  from  the 
meeting  convicted  of  sin,  and  gave  our  hearts  to  God. ' 


OF  THE  HOLT  SPIRIT.  303 

"  Thus  it  appeared  that  the  Spirit  had  overruled  what 
seemed  to  many  the  preacher's  mistake,  to  the  salvation  of 
two  souls. 

"  From  Rochester  he  went  to  Lockport.  As  the  result  of 
the  revival  there,  Rev.  Dr.  Wisner  received  into  his  church 
in  one  day  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  members.  About  a 
thousand  united  with  the  churches  in  and  around  Lockport. 

"  In  1869  Mr.  Hammond  labored  four  weeks  in  Indianap- 
olis. The  meetings  of  the  four  weeks  were  full  of  power,  the 
churches  were  greatly  refreshed,  and  a  great  number  added 
to  them  of  such  as  should  be  saved. 

"  In  November  of  that  year  he  went  to  Cincinnati.  The 
churches  had  thoroughly  prepared  for  his  cominjr — organ- 
ized union  services,  and  joined  heartily  with  him  in  the 
work.  When  Mr.  Hammond  reached  the  city  there  were 
already  hopeful  indications  of  a  gracious  harvest.  In  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  there  were  many  inquirers,  and 
throughout  many  of  the  churches  there  was  an  atmosphere 
of  expectation  and  prayer.  According  to  his  custom,  Mr. 
Hammond  began  with  union  children's  meetings.  He 
preached  the  cardinal  truths  of  the  gospel  with  great  sim- 
plicity and  fervor,  and  a  large  number  of  young  people  gave 
evidence  of  having  been  truly  converted.  Mr.  Hammond 
remained  in  the  city  for  about  six  weeks,  and  the  work, 
both  in  the  city  and  the  towns  around  it,  gave  signs  of  the 
mighty  presence  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  editor  of  the 
Cincinnati  Gazette  gathered  statistics  of  the  numbers  who 
united  with  the  various  churches  in  and  around  the  city,  and 
they  were  found  to  aggregate  about  five  thousand.  These 
were,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  the  fruits  of  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's labors. 

*'  He  then  spent  a  few  weeks  in  Evansville,  Ind.,  where 
the  work  was  rapid  and  powerful.  In  one  of  the  children's 
meetings  the  wealthiest  man  in  the  city  was  converted  to 


304  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

Christ.  The  conversion  was  doubtless  genuine,  for  he  has 
since  given  a  round  half  million  of  dollars  for  public  benev- 
olent purposes  of  the  city. 

"  We  have  not  space  to  follow  the  work  of  the  evangelist 
in  Milwaukee,  Wis.  ;  Providence,  R.  I.  ;  Brooklyn  ;  New- 
ark, N.  J.  ;  Kansas  City,  Leavenworth,  Topeka,  Atchison, 
Fort  Scott,  and  Lawrence,  Kan.  In  the  latter  place  it  was 
estimated  that  a  hundred  family  altars  had  been  erected. 

*' In  the  fall  of  1873  eighteen  ministers  of  St.  Louis  in- 
vited Mr.  Hammond  to  that  city.  On  January  10th,  1874, 
the  meetings  there  were  begun. 

"A  great  revival  followed,  the  practical  character  of 
which  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  covenant  read 
in  the  farewell  meeting,  and  signed  by  thirty-six  ministers, 
who  were  present  on  the  platform  : 

"  '  We,  the  undersigned,  ministers  and  pastors  of  the 
different  churches  of  St.  Louis,  hereby  become  members  of 
the  "Evangelical  Alliance  of  St.  Louis,"  and  by  so  doing 
bind  ourselves  as  a  band  of  brothers,  combining  our  Chris- 
tian forces  as  a  unit,  presenting  an  unbroken  front  against 
intemperance,  infidelity,  and  unbelief,  laying  aside  all  local 
preferences,  and  in  a  grand  union  effort  on  one  common 
platform  to  do  all  we  can  to  bring  sinners  to  Christ,  to  the 
living  Saviour.' 

*'  A  paper  was  also  adopted  by  the  pastors,  specifying 
among  the  characteristics  of  the  revival,  the  union  services, 
the  conversion  of  children,  the  deep  stillness  and  solemnity 
of  inquiry  meetings,  free  from  all  objectionable  extrava- 
gances, the  effect  of  gospel  singing,  the  clearness  of  the 
preaching,  and  its  thoroughly  sound  doctrinal  tone,  and  the 
closer  bond  of  union  created  between  all  the  ministers  of 
the  gospel. 

"  From  St.  Louis,  Mr.  Hammond,  accompanied  by  six 
ministers  and  a  number  of  laymen,  made  a  flying  evangelis- 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  305 

tic  tour  through  the  Indian  Territory  and  Texas,  preaching 
in  Galveston,  Austin,  and  other  places.  During  the  summer 
and  autumn  of  this  year  Mr.  Hammond  spent  several 
months  in  California,  preaching  in  San  Jos6,  Sacramento, 
Oakland,  and  San  Francisco,  making  a  missionary  tour  as  far 
north  as  Alaska. 

**  In  1875  he  labored  with  remarkable  success  in  Wash- 
ington and  the  Cumberland  Valley  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
work  in  Harrisburg  was  specially  powerful,  the  meetings  in 
Dr.  Robinson's  church  often  continuing  till  far  into  the 
night.  The  depth  of  conviction  for  sin  was  so  deep  in  many 
cases  that  strong  men  were  physically  prostrated  and  cried 
aloud  under  an  overwhelming  sense  of  guilt, 

"  The  revival  soon  became  general  throughout  the  valley, 
and  refreshing  rains  of  blessing  fell  successively  upon 
Mechanicsburg,  Shippensburg,  Greencastle,  Chambersburg, 
Mercersburg,  Carlisle,  Middletown,  New  Bloomfield,  New- 
ville,  and  other  places.  In  Newville  the  work  was  wonder- 
ful beyond  anything  known  in  that  locality  before.  We 
quote  from  the  report  made  to  the  General  Assembly  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  April,  1876.  Referring  to  the  work 
in  Newville,  it  says  :  '  With  the  union  meetings  a  work  of 
grace,  of  great  power  and  of  wide  influence,  began  in  that 
community,  and  which  continued  during  the  winter,  greatly 
reviving  the  professed  people  of  God,  and  causing  them  to 
rejoice  in  God  their  Saviour,  and  resulting  in  the  ingather- 
ing to  the  churches  of  that  place  and  the  immediate  vicinity, 
of  between  four  and  five  hundred  souls  on  profession  of 
their  faith  in  Christ.' 

*'  The  same  report,  speaking  of  the  general  effect  of  the 
revival  throughout  all  the  towns  of  that  valley,  said  :  '  A 
further  result  of  this  most  gracious  awakening  has  been  an 
increased  spirit  of  unity  and  harmony  among  the  professed 
people  of  God,  a  deeper  interest  in  all  the  different  parts  of 


308  THE  HAEVEST    WORK 

public  service,  the  erection  of  many  family  altars,  a  general 
reformation  in  the  morals  of  the  community,  a  better  observ- 
ance of  the  Christian  Sabbath,  and  a  strong  check  upon  the 
public  vices  of  intemperance,  profanity,  and  licentiousness. 
In  short,  the  whole  region  has  been  stirred  by  a  superior 
spiritual  power,  infidelity  upon  all  sides  stands  abashed, 
and  all  classes  are  ready  to  acknowledge  that  this  was  truly 
the  work  of  God.' 

"  Afterward  Mr.  Hammond  held  services  in  Philadelphia, 
Newburyport,  Amesbury,  Mass.,  and  Terre  Haute,  Ind.  The 
meetings  in  the  latter  place  were  specially  fruitful.  A  re- 
port in  one  of  the  religious  papers  gives  the  following  sum- 
mary of  results  : 

"'The  grand  result  is  that  all  classes,  from  the  most 
respectable  to  the  most  abandoned,  have  been  reached. 
Sin,  also,  has  been  continually  held  up  as  the  abominable 
thing  that  God  hates  ;  and  the  conversions  taking  place 
have  largely  indicated  how*  pungent  has  been  conviction  in 
that  regard,  thus  leading  the  pastors  to  believe  that  the 
work  as  a  whole  has  been  a  deep  and  thorough  one.' 

"  During  the  winter  of  1876  and  1877  a  great  revival  wave 
swept  over  the  towns  of  Syracuse,  Seneca  Falls,  Geneva, 
and  other  places  in  Central  New  York,  for  a  description  of 
which  we  have  not  space  beyond  the  general  remark  that 
the  characteristics  of  meetings  we  have  already  described 
were  present  in  these  also,  in  the  increased  faith  and  life  of 
the  churches  and  the  turning  of  many  to  righteousness. 

"  A  brief  estimate  of  the  elements  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
success  may  fittingly  close  this  sketch  of  his  labors. 

"  His  place  as  a  preacher.  The  cross  of  Christ  is  most 
distinctly  outlined  in  his  own  mind,  and  is  therefore  vividly 
presented  to  his  hearers.  The  substance  of  his  sermons  is 
ruin  through  sin  and  present  full  redemption  through 
Christ,  who    was  *  wounded   for   our  transgressions,    and 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  307 

bruised  for  our  iniquities. '  The  substitution  of  Christ  in 
the  sinner's  place  ;  the  full  satisfaction  to  Divine  justice  ; 
the  full  justification  of  the  sinner  in  God's  sight  on  account 
of  the  Saviour's  work,  and  the  believer's  privilege  to  live 
ever  in  the  light  of  conscious  acceptance  with  God,  are  the 
notes  that  he  is  never  weary  of  ringing  in  the  people's  ears. 
His  power  of  illustration  is  remarkable.  He  is  eminently 
successful  in  picturing  before  his  audience  whatever  scene 
he  is  trying  to  impress  on  their  minds.  The  attention  of 
children,  therefore,  never  flags,  and  his  influence  over  them 
through  vivid  picturing  of  the  plan  of  salvation  has  been 
greatly  blessed,  alike  to  their  instruction  and  salvation. 
The  criticism  that  might  be  founded  on  his  too  great 
urgency  in  bringing  children  to  an  announcement  of  a  de- 
cision for  Christ  is  largely  shorn  of  its  strength  by  the  un- 
doubted fact  that  he  is  as  careful  to  make  them  intelligent 
as  he  is  to  make  them  decided.  He  gives  them  a  reason  for 
the  hope  he  would  have  them  entertain.  It  is  his  custom, 
in  separating  the  young  converts  from  the  audience,  to  have 
pastors  examine  them  as  to  the  ground  of  their  faith  in 
Christ.  Brief  as  this  examination  must  be,  he  solemnly  and 
distinctly  urges  that  it  be  pointedly  made,  and  as  clearly 
warns  the  children  against  the  profession  of  a  love  for 
Christ  for  which  they  cannot  give  some  simple  and  Scriptu- 
ral reason.  His  preaching,  then,  whether  to  children  or 
adults,  consists  in  a  clear,  well-defined,  and  well-illustrated 
statement  of  the  central  doctrine  of  the  cross.  His  system 
of  truth  is  cast  in  biblical  rather  than  technical  or  theologi- 
cal forms.  The  personality  of  Jesus  as  a  heavenly  friend  ; 
the  Fatherhood  of  God,  calling  for  our  confidence  and  filial 
love  ;  the  joy  fulness  of  Christ's  service  and  the  certainty  of 
its  rewards  in  a  real  heaven  of  endless  progress  and  endless 
work — these  truths  come  from  his  lips  with  the  freshness 
and  force  which  only  a  deep  conviction  of  them  can  give. 


308  THE  HARVEST   AVORK 

"  His  manner  of  preaching  is  in  harmony  with  the  matter 
of  it.  Buoyant,  almost  boyish,  with  a  certain  physical  ex- 
uberance, with  a  fine  commingling  of  joyfulness  and  serious- 
ness, he  commends  his  religion  as  something  that  will  give 
relish  to  this  life  as  well  as  blessedness  to  the  next.  He  is 
no  ascetic,  removed  from  the  people  and  shading  their 
thoughts  with  pictures  of  religious  gloom.  He  brings  a 
dash  of  Christian  sunlight  and  a  breath  of  free  Christian 
courage  and  hope  with  every  sermon.  Add  to  this  his 
earnestness,  which  never  weakens  ;  his  directness  of  pur- 
pose, which  never  swerves,  and  he  is  before  us  as  an  evan- 
gelist, a  large  measure  of  whose  success  is  in  his  loyalty  to 
the  truth,  his  sense  of  its  power,  his  wisdom  in  presenting 
it,  and  his  earnestness  in  enforcing  it,  as  the  very  Word  of 
God — the  charter  of  Christian  liberty,  and  the  guide  to  a 
happy  Christian  life  and  work. 

*'  Another  element  of  his  success  is  in  his  generalship.  He 
has  singular  tact  in  setting  people  to  work.  Many  of  our 
later  evangelists  are  gifted  in  this  direction.  Indeed,  the 
spirit  of  the  time  points  to  this  as  one  of  the  coming  meth- 
ods. It  was  announced  by  Wesley  long  ago,  '  All  at  it  and 
always  at  it. '  It  w^as  announced  by  Paul  much  longer  ago, 
in  his  appeals  to  personal  devotion.  The  church  has  been 
slow  to  learn.  Evangelism  in  New  England  in  1740  meant 
preaching,  and  wonderful  were  the  results.  In  our  own  day 
it  means  preaching  followed  by  hand-to-hand  battle  for 
souls.  In  this  conflict  generalship  has  its  finest  field.  Mr. 
Hammond  has  decided  tact  in  bringing  Christians  and  in- 
quirers together.  He  bustles  around  an  inquiry-room  seem- 
ingly in  a  hap-hazard  way,  but  in  a  few  moments,  somehow, 
order  has  come  out  of  the  confusion,  and  the  hushed  groups 
and  the  subdued  murmur  of  Christian  conversation  show 
that  personal  work  has  begun  in  earnest.  He  now — in  the 
pulpit  or  out  of  it — is  not  the  most  successful  man  who 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  309 

works  the  liardest,  but  he  who  can  inspire  and  organize 
others.  We  are  probably  just  on  the  eve  of  our  best  prog- 
ress here.  Mr.  Hammond  was  one  of  the  first  men  to  grasp 
firmly  the  truth  that  a  public  revival  service  unfollowed  by 
the  close  quarters  of  heart  to  heart,  has  failed  at  the  point 
of  its  highest  success. 

"All  great  evangelists  are  enthusiasts.  It  was  a  chief 
charge  against  Paul,  against  Luther,  against  Calvin,  against 
Knox,  against  Whitefield,  and  the  Tennents.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond owes  much  to  a  certain  natural  enthusiasm  of  mind. 
In  any  calling  he  would  have  been  ardent,  impulsive,  enthu- 
siastic. This  state  of  mind  sanctified  by  grace  becomes 
mighty  in  religion.  It  discounts  or  denies  the  discourage- 
ments, it  transfigures  hope,  and  in  its  beautiful  light  turns 
it  into  success.  It  bridges  streams  and  levels  mountains, 
and  batters  down  walls.  It  enables  a  man  to  make  the  most 
of  himself,  the  most  of  his  opportunities,  the  most  of  the 
grace  of  God.  It  pictures  above  the  clouds  the  ideal  result 
of  the  battle  begun  below.  Standards  that  trail  here  are 
firmly  planted  and  flung  out  triumphant  there.  Columns 
that  are  weak  and  wavering  here  advance  with  level  front 
there.  To  that  ideal,  enthusiasm  holds  the  soldier,  and 
under  its  inspiration  he  fights  his  battle. 

"  We  stated  at  the  beginning  of  this  sketch  that  Mr. 
Hammond  was  a  pioneer  in  the  work  among  children.  The 
Church  will,  perhaps,  advance  by  increasing  experience  to 
better  methods  than  have  yet  been  adopted.  But  the  essen- 
tial idea  that  supports  the  work  among  children,  both  in 
Sunday-schools  and  revival  meetings,  that  little  ones  can  be 
soundly  converted  ;  that  the  law  of  spiritual  growth  from 
very  feeble  beginnings  may  be  emphasized  in  religious 
life,  and  children  be  trained  up  in  the  Church,  rather  than 
recovered  to  it  after  prolonged  wandering,  is  one  that  will 
throw  heavenly  radiance  on  all  the  future  life  of  the  Church. 


310  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

It  is  one  of  the  characteristics  of  these  days  that  we  believe 
will  shine  to  ever  fairer  light  as  the  Church  moves  on,  that 
*  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  Children  in  the  midst 
of  the  disciples,  with  Christ's  hands  on  their  heads,  is  a  his- 
toric pictiu-e  on  which  new  and  clearer  light  is  falling.  It 
means  more  to-day  than  it  ever  meant  before." 

In  the  autumn  of  1877  Mr.  Hammond  went  to 
Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  holding  meetings  of  so  great  in- 
terest for  -^ve  successive  weeks  that  Rev.  Dr.  Coles 
of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  made  the  journey- 
to  Parkersburg,  W.  Ya.,  some  five  hundred  miles, 
to  secure  Mr.  Hammond's  release  from  his  appoint- 
ment to  labor  there,  that  he  might  continue  longer 
in  Yonkers.  At  the  close  of  the  extended  time 
he  started  for  Parkersburg,  stopping  in  obedience 
to  a  telegram  to  attend  a  reunion  meeting  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  the  scene  of  former  harvest 
work.  A  part  of  December,  and  into  January,  1878, 
there  was  a  remarkable  display  of  the  divine  power, 
for  which  Rev.  J.  G.  Hamner  did  much  to  prepare 
the  way,  and  with  the  rector  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  co-operated  most  efficiently  with  the  evan- 
gelist. 

The  editor  of  the  /State  Journal,  who  was  con- 
verted in  the  meetings  of  that  city,  sums  up  the  re- 
sults as  follows  : 

*'  His  entire  work  is  a  thoroughly  systematic  labor.  Marl- 
borough or  Napoleon  never  planned  a  battle  or  organized  a 
campaign  with  a  more  effective  system  than  he  organizes 


OF  THE  HOLT   SPIRIT.  311 

the  Christian  forces  and  hurls  them  against  the  citadels  of 
sin.  In  private  life  he  wins  friends  by  his  simplicity  and 
artlessness,  affability  and  good  humor,  and  his  rare  powers 
as  a  conversationalist  of  intelligence  and  experience.  The 
results  of  his  labor  in  Parkersburg  are  the  conversion  of 
over  five  hundred  persons,  comprising  every  class  of  com- 
munity, the  high  and  the  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the 
gambler,  the  debauchee,  and  the  worldly  man.  .  .  .  When 
he  came  here  he  had  the  prejudices  of  Christians  and  sin- 
ners alike  to  contend  with,  for  our  people  are  naturally  con- 
servative and  look  with  suspicion  upon  all  innovations,  but 
he  leaves  carrying  with  him  the  love  of  Christians  and  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all,  regardless  of  sects." 

From  Parkersburg  sixty  ministers,  members  of 
the  churches  and  converts,  accompanied  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hammond  to  Marietta,  Ohio,  the  seat  of 
Marietta  College,  the  faculty  of  which  co-operated  ; 
and  most  of  the  students  who  were  not  before  be- 
came Christians  during  the  progress  of  the  great 
revival.  The  next  field  of  successful  labor  was 
Zanesville,  to  which  he  was  again  accompanied  with 
a  large  delegation.  Here  were  repeated  the  scenes 
which  made  angels  rejoice  over  Parkersburg.  As 
no  building  was  large  enough  for  the  multitude,  a 
tent  was  erected  in  the  month  of  February,  with 
snow  on  the  ground,  and  filled  with  between  five  and 
six  thousand,  who  seemed  quite  indifferent  to  air 
partially  heated  by  the  smokeless  coke-stoves. 

From  Zanesville  the  evangelist  opened  a  series  of 
meetings  in  Rochester,  for  the  third  time,  which 


312  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

continued  for  four  weeks.  Then  Mr.  Hammond 
went  to  the  capital  of  the  State,  Columbus,  and 
soon  rejoiced  in  a  glorious  outpouring  of  the  Spirit 
in  that  city  during  the  weeks  of  the  warm  early 
summer.  Mr.  Hammond,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Lord  and 
others  from  that  city,  visited  Delaware  for  a  three 
days'  eEort,  which  was  crowned  with  great  success. 
At  Joplin,  Mo.,  closed  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  for 
the  season,  with  a  crowning  work  of  the  Spirit. 
The  following  November  the  evangelist  had  a  series 
of  interesting  meetings  in  Allegheny  City  ;  then 
Edinboro  in  the  same  State  was  visited  and  blessed 
with  the  power  of  the  divine  presence.  After  a 
brief  effort  at  Cambridge  Mr.  Hammond  returned 
to  South  Pittsburg,  holding  a  series  of  interesting 
meetings,  owned  of  God  in  many  conversions. 
Later  Mr.  Hammond  crossed  the  border  to  Canada, 
and  engaged  in  a  very  successful  effort  at  Brant- 
ford,  Ontario,  the  crowd  from  the  city  and  sur- 
rounding country  filling  day  after  day  the  ''  drill- 
sheds"  erected  for  the  preparation  of  men  for  the 
dreaded  Fenian  uprising,  the  capacity  of  which  was 
sufficient  for  about  six  thousand  people,  and  crowded 
in  every  part.  At  Chatham  the  pastors,  thirteen 
in  number,  wrote  to  their  brethren  in  Guelph  that 
out  of  six  thousand  people  it  was  believed  that 
eleven  hundred  were  converted  during  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's visit  of  three  weeks.  In  the  latter  place, 
^gain  a  ^'  drill-shed,"  in  spite  of  the  cool  weather, 


or  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  313 

was  tlie  thronged  place  of  tearful  interest,  and  the 
same  number  of  conversions  was  reported.  In  the 
fall  of  1881  a  successful  campaign  was  opened  at 
Hamilton,  Ontario,  when  Mr.  Hammond  started 
for  the  "sunny  South."  A  reunion  meeting  on 
the  way  was  held  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  followed  by 
the  continued  journey  to  Nashville,  Tennessee. 
Here  a  blessing  fell  upon  the  colleges  especially,  and 
was  attended  with  many  very  interesting  cases  of 
conversion. 

At  Maryville  in  the  same  State  and  Memphis  the 
Spirit  attended  the  labors  of  the  evang'^list  with  the 
seal  of  his  converting  power. 

In  the  fall  of  1882  Mr.  Hammond  held  succes- 
sively meetings  at  Cambridgeport,  Boston,  and 
Middleboro,  which  were  attended  with  precious 
results  ;  especially  in  Boston  was  the  work  quiet, 
deep,  and  far-reaching.  At  Newark,  N.  J.,  for 
the  third  time,  his  labors  were  richly  blessed. 
Through  the  influence  of  ministers  who  had  labored 
with  Mr.  Hammond  in  Canada  and  were  then  in 
Bermuda,  Mr.  Hammond  was  invited  to  that 
island,  to  which  he  was  accompanied  by  E. 
W.  Hawley,  editor  of  Oood  Words ^  and  others. 
Seven  hundred  and  fifty  in  eighteen  days  professed 
faith  in  Christ.  Upon  his  return  Mr.  Hammond 
renewed  his  work  in  Brooklyn,  at  Dr.  De  Witt 
Talmage's  Tabernacle,  and  enjoyed  there  a  fresh 
baptism  of  the  Spirit,  which  was  especially  felt  by 


314  THE  HARVEST  WORK. 

the  yonngjwho  gathered  in  great  numbers  to  hear 
the  gospel  message.  At  the  Juvenile  Asylum, 
Fort  Washington,  the  labors  of  the  season  were 
fittingly  closed  by  a  most  delightful  series  of  meet- 
ings, during  which  hundreds  gave  their  names  as 
the  young  disciples  of  Jesus. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Conversion  of  an  Infidel  Lady — Hamilton — Montreal — John 
Dougall — Three  Thousand — Giving  God  the  Glory. 

Among  the  many  remarkable  cases  of  deep  in- 
terest, we  quote  tlie  following  account  of  the  conver- 
sion of  an  infidel  lady  at  Hamilton,  Ont.  : 

**  The  first  time  I  heard  Mr.  Hammond  I  felt  very  un- 
comfortable, and  said  to  myself  :  '  Can  this  be  a  minister  ? 
I  believe  his  sermon  has  affected  me.  It  may  be  mesmarism 
or  magnetism  ;  but  it  is  certainly  something,  and  I  am  going 
to  find  out  what  it  is.  If  mesmerism,  I  am  pretty  sure  it 
won't  have  any  effect  on  me. '  So  I  went  to  hear  him  again, 
but  feeling  more  uneasy  every  time.  I  at  last  gave  up  the 
idea  of  mesmerism,  fully  convinced  that  Mr.  Hammond  was 
a  minister,  and  one  terribly  in  earnest,  and  I  was  afraid  I 
might  be  converted  if  I  was  not  very  careful.  I  knew  I 
was  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  but  I  heard  a  gentleman 
Bay  that  religion  was  only  made  for  women — that  they  could 
not  help  being  Christians,  because  they  were  weak-minded, 
and  intellectually  of  a  lower  order  than  men,  and  I  thought 
I'd  show  people  that  all  womankind  were  not  simple,  and 
that  preaching  and  praying  should  not  have  any  effect  on 
m^,  at  any  rate  ;  and  since  that  time  I  have  fought  against 
every  religious  influence.  When  my  conscience  troubled 
jne,  I  thought  to  quiet  it  by  thinking  that  1  could  live  just 


316  THE   HARVEST   AVOT^K 

as  good  a  life  as  a  Christian  without  the  trouble  of  being 
one,  and  I  will  confess  that  within  the  last  two  years  I  had 
been  getting  some  infidel  notions  also. 

*'  For  a  long  time  I  troubled  my  brain  with  mysteries  and 
possibilities,  till,  finding  myself  getting  more  and  more  in 
the  dark,  I  gave  up  reasoning  about  the  matter  altogether, 

' '  The  first  time  I  became  really  convicted  was  on  Sunday. 
I  was  in  St.  Andrew's  Church,  where  Mr.  Hammond  deliv- 
ered a  very  powerful  sermon.  I  can  never  forget  the  effect 
that  sermon  had  upon  myself.  I  can  scarcely  describe  my 
feelings.  It  seemed  as  if  some  mighty  power  had  entered 
my  soul,  and  was  struggling  with  a  demon  there.  I  was 
convinced  then  that  there  was  a  God,  and  that  I  had  grieved 
Him  sorely,  and  my  heart  cried  out,  '  Oh  !  what  shall  I  do  ? ' 
and  when  Mr.  Hammond  repeated  these  lines  :  '  Just  as  I 
am,  without  one  plea  ;  but  that  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
and  that  thou  bidst  me  come  to  thee.  O  Lamb  of  God,  I 
come  ! ' — I  could  not  keep  back  the  tears.  Then  he  asked 
those  who  felt  that  they  were  sinners  and  wished  to  be 
prayed  for,  to  rise,  while  they  sang,  '  Come  to  Jesus  !  ' 

'*  I  will  never  forget  the  agony  of  that  moment.  I  want- 
ed to  rise  ;  I  felt  that  I  must  do  it,  but  thought,  '  How  can 
I  stand  up  before  these  people,  many  of  whom  I  know,  and 
who  will  be  sure  to  see  me.  Me  confessing  that  I  am  a  sin- 
ner, and  want  to  be  prayed  for  !  '  How  I  ever  did  I  don't 
know  ;  I  felt  as  if  I  should  die  if  I  kept  my  seat,  and  at  last 
I  rose  up,  feeling  more  like  a  condemned  criminal  than  any- 
thing else.  I  came  home  feeling  perfectly  wretched,  con- 
scious all  the  time  that  Mighty  Power  was  still  with  me, 
battling  with  the  demon  in  my  soul,  and  for  four  days  I 
had  no  peace,  night  or  day.  It  seemed  as  if  that  Power  was 
drawing  me — where  or  to  what  I  could  not  tell ;  but  the 
demon  was  using  all  his  influence,  throwing  in  doubts  and 
distracting  thoughts,  that  it  was  not  conviction  of  sin  that 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  317 

troubled  me,  but  something  else,  whispering,  '  Don't  you 
go  to  hear  that  man  any  more  ;  they  are  trying  to  make  a 
Christian  of  you.  Where  is  all  your  strength  of  mind  ? 
Where  is  all  your  self-reliance  ?  Do  you  want  to  become 
one  of  those  miserable,  praying,  weeping,  church-going 
Christians  ?  Do  you  want  to  give  up  all  your  pleasure  in 
this  world  ?  Do  you  want  to  be  made  the  laughing-stock 
of  your  acquaintances,  and  have  them  point  at  you  and  say, 
"  That  girl  used  to  be  one  of  us.  She  made  more  fun  of 
ministers  and  church  members  than  any  of  us  did,  and  she 
said  things  about  the  Bible  that  I  wouldn't  dare  to  say,  and 
there  she  is  now,  setting  herself  up  for  a  Christian,  as  if  she 
was  any  better  than  anybody  else.  I  wouldn't  give  much 
for  her  religion,  anyway."  '  But  in  spite  of  ihe  demon's 
whispering,  I  went  to  hear  Mr.  Hammond  two  or  three  times 
during  those  days  ;  and  feeling  more  wretched  every  time,  I 
concluded  at  last  that  I  could  not  feel  more  miserable  if  I 
was  really  a  Christian,  and  that  I  was  sure  I  could  never  be 
happy  again  without  a  change  of  some  kind,  and  I  made  up 
my  mind  that  I  would  try  to  be  a  Christian  for  a  little  while, 
and  then,  if  I  did  not  like  that,  I  could  go  back  again.  But 
in  order  to  be  a  Christian,  I  had  got  to  do  something — and 
what  was  it  ?  I  had  never  read  many  religious  books.  The 
only  one  besides  the  Bible  that  I  remembered  anything 
about  was  the  '  Catechism, '  and  the  question,  '  What  dotli 
every  sin  deserve  ? '  came  to  my  mind,  with  the  answer, 
*  Every  sin  deserveth  God's  wrath  and  curse,  both  in  this 
life  and  in  that  which  is  to  come.'  That  certainly  did  not 
bring  me  any  comfort,  and  my  mind  was  in  such  a  state  that 
I  could  think  of  nothing  that  would. 

' '  That  night  (Wednesday  night)  I  was  in  despair  ;  I  never 
knew  what  despair  was  before  ;  I  hope  I  may  never  feel  it 
again.  It  seemed  as  if  God  had  forsaken  me — as  if  I  had 
grieved  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  it  had  left  me.     I  could  not 


318  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

even  pray,  and  in  the  agony  of  my  soul  I  found  myself  cry- 
ing out,  '  O  mother,  mother  ! '  as  if  she  could  come  back 
from  the  '  spirit  land  '  to  comfort  me. 

"The  next  morning  I  went  to  see  Mr.  Hammond.  All 
the  way  the  same  spirit  was  trying  to  turn  my  purpose,  but 
I  thought  as  I  had  started  I  would  not  go  back  again  with- 
out seeing  him. 

' '  When  I  met  Mr.  Hammond  he  was  so  kind  to  me  that 
it  made  me  feel  worse  than  ever.  He  said  to  me  that  Jesus 
had  died  for  sinners,  and  if  I  really  and  truly  repented  of 
my  sins,  and  gave  myself  up  entirely  to  Him,  He  would  re- 
ceive me  and  give  me  a  new  heart.  Then  he  prayed  with 
me,  and  I  went  home  feeling  as  if  there  had  been  a  great 
load  taken  off  my  soul.  It  seemed  as  if  Jesus  had  heard  my 
prayers,  and  I  was  satisfied.  Since  that  time  so  many  new 
feelings  have  been  crowding  into  my  soul  that  I  cannot  give 
utterance  to  them. 

"  First  came  a  feeling  of  love  toward  all  Christians,  and 
then  a  sense  of  love  and  gratitude  toward  our  Heavenly 
Father,  who  has  *  followed  me  though  I  sought  Him  not, 
and  come  to  me  though  I  called  Him  not, '  and  the  feeling 
has  increased,  till  I  think  I  can  say  with  my  whole  heart, 

*  I  love  Jesus, '  and  I  have  the  blessed  assurance  within  my 
own  soul  that  He  loves  me,  and  has  forgiven  me,  and  I 
would  not  give  up  that  assurance  for  the  whole  world. 

* '/  have  never  felt  so  happy  in  my  life  before  ;  and  it  is 
such  a  different  happiness — something  which  I  think  one 
cannot  describe. 

"  Death  has  now  lost  its  terrors  ;  instead  of  wanting  to 

*  go  back '  to  my  old  life  again,  it  is  the  only  thing  I  am 
afraid  of,  that  by  some  chance  I  may  go  back  again  ;  and 
may  God,  in  His  infinite  mercy,  '  keep  me,'  is  my  prayer. 

"  Another  thing  that  surprises  me  is  to  find  that  I  love 
prayer-meetings,  and  sermons  too. 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  319 

*'  Sunday  afternoon,  in  Dr.  Irvine's  church,  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  telling  us  about  the  '  Ark  of  Safety, '  and  said  it 
was  something  like  Noah's  ark,  with  three  stories.  The 
first  story  was  in  the  lowest  part  of  the  ark,  and  it  was 
'  pretty  dark  down  there,'  yet  there  was  a  little  light,  and 
it  was  a  safe  place,  but  when  one  came  to  the  second  story 
there  was  a  good  deal  more  light,  and  in  the  third  story  was 
the  full  glare  of  day. 

*'  I  believe  I  am  in  the  '  Ark  of  Safety,'  but  I  don't  know 
which  story  I  am  in.  I  will  be  thankful  to  stay  in  the  first, 
but  sometimes  I  feel  as  if  I  was  nearer  the  third  than  any- 
thiug  else. 

*'  At  those  meetings  which  I  have  attended,  the  churches 
were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity  with  people  of  every 
rank  and  class,  and  lately  I  have  learned  that  hundreds  go 
away  from  every  meeting  unable  even  to  get  standing  room. 

"  On  Sunday  last,  when  Mr.  Hammond  asked  those  who 
felt  that  they  had  not  yet  found  Jesus,  and  wished  to  be 
prayed  for  to  rise,  over  four  hundred  stood  up — some  gray- 
headed  men  and  women — and,  oh  !  how  it  made  me  feel ! 
I  could  sympathize  with  them  all,  and  I  did  pray  for  them. 

"  It  must  be  apparent  to  every  Christian  that  the  '  hand 
of  the  Lord  '  is  in  this  work.  One  overwhelming  proof  is 
*  the  union  of  ministers  of  different  churches  and  denomina- 
tions. All  seem  to  have  laid  aside  difference  of  opinion, 
and  to  join  with  Mr.  Hammond  in  the  glorious  work,  with 
one  great  object — that  of  bringing  anxious  souls  to  Jesus." 

We  have  not  space  for  the  long  reports  of  the 
meetings  in  London.  Many  were  led  to  Christ. 
Nineteen  years  after  Mr.  Hammond  was  there  again 
and  remained  for  three  weeks,  conducting  crowded 
services  in  the  great  ''  drill-shed." 


S90  tHE  HARVEST  WORK 

The  writer  of  the  above  has  since  lived  a  consis- 
tent Christian.  During  the  four  weeks'  meetings  in 
Hamilton  about  six  hundred  professed  conversion. 
Nineteen  years  after  Mr.  Hammond,  held  another 
series  of  meetings  in  Hamilton,  and  he  found  the 
lasting  fruits  of  that  work  of  God's  Spirit. 

From  among  the  converted  children  it  was  stated 
as  a  fact  that  five  had  become  useful  ministers  of 
the  gospel.  Lord  Cecil,  who  afterward  became  a 
useful  evangelist,  it  is  said  was  converted  at  that 
time,  also  Colonel  Hoste,  a  man  of  note. 

MONTREAL. 

John  Dougall,  editor  of  the  Montreal  Witness, 
was  a  constant  attendant  upon  those  services.  His 
paper  contained  daily  reports    of  the  work.     He 


"  All  who  were  anxious  about  their  souls  were  invited  on 
each  occasion  to  remain  for  an  inquiry-meeting,  Christians 
being  asked  to  remain  for  the  purpose  of  conversing  and 
praying  with  them,  and  great  numbers  availed  themselves 
of  the  invitation.  It  was  deeply  interesting  on  these  occa- 
sions to  see  the  opening  of  the  hearts  of  those  who,  per- 
haps, a  day  or  two  before,  had  been  inaccessible  to  spiritual 
conversation,  and  the  loosing  of  the  tongues  of  those  who 
would  not  previously  have  thought  of  addressing  any 
stranger  on  the  subject  of  religion.  Little  groups  were 
formed  all  over  the  church,  from  which  prayer  in  a  low  tone 
was  heard  ascending,  and  in  almost  every  pew  might  be 
seen  one  or  more  persons  waiting  to  be  spoken  with,  each 
of  whom  was  conversed  with  in  turn  by  some  minister  or 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  321 

other  Christian.  These  precious  opportunities  of  convers- 
ing freely  with  persons  in  a  contrite  frame  of  mind  were 
eagerly  improved  by  devout  persons  of  both  sexes  ;  and 
many  penitents,  it  is  believed,  experienced  a  saving  change 
of  heart  in  these  inquiry- meetings — some  after  going  through 
deep  distress  for  days.  Some  of  the  evening  meetings  in 
the  "Wesleyan  Church  were  so  crowded  that  Christians  were 
requested  to  go  down  to  the  lecture-room  to  pray  for  the 
conversion  of  souls,  while  the  gospel  was  being  preached  to 
the  unconverted  above  ;  and  the  prayer-meeting  thus 
formed  numbered  three  or  four  hundred,  while  the  congre- 
gation above  probably  numbered  three  thousand." 

A  letter  from  Montreal  to  The  Indejpendent  says  : 

*'  Yesterday  Mr.  H.  addressed  between  three  and  four 
thousand  souls  in  the  largest  Protestant  church  in  the  city — 
the  number  may  seem  large,  but  it  is  literally  true — and  so 
great  was  the  crowd  about  the  doors  that  the  basement  was 
thrown  open  and  immediately  filled,  while  hundreds  had 
to  go  away,  unable  to  get  into  the  building.  The  work  has 
both  the  sympathy  and  co-operation  of  the  city  pastors. 

"  We  all  stand  amazed,  saying,  '  "What  hath  God 
wrought  ? '  for  '  it  was  never  seen  on  this  wise  before.' 

"We.  need  your  prayers — Mr.  Hammond  needs  your 
prayers.  Pray  that  God  may  strengthen  him  with  all 
might,  and  especially  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  feel  that 
his  sufficiency  is  of  God,  that  Christ  may  so  fill  every  cham- 
ber of  his  being  that  self  may  be  kept  entirely  out  of  view — 
that  the  great  tide  wave  of  popularity  may  not  sweep  him 
up  on  to  the  barrier  strand  of  human  pride,  but  that  he  may 
be  enabled  in  all  the  future,  as  we  trust  and  believe  he  has 
in  all  the  past,  to  give  God  the  glory." 


CHAPTEK  XII. 

Meeting  in  New  York — Morgan  L.  Savage — Dr.  Mark  Hopkins 
—Results— Dr.  Hatfield— Brooklyn,  N.  Y.— M.  E.Winslow— 
Child's  Testimony — Mock  Prayer-Meeting. 

The  next  field  of  labor  was  in  Dr.  E.  F.  Hat- 
field's chnrcli. 

The  following  note  from  Dr.  Hatfield,  who  has 
just  gone  to  his  reward,  appeared  at  the  time  in  the 
New  York  Evangelist : 

**Mr.  Hammond's  labors  in  this  church  have  resulted  in 
an  interesting  work  of  grace.  Large  congregations  have 
gathered,  night  after  night,  to  hear  the  Word,  and  many 
have  been  led  to  seek  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  Some 
very  remarkable  cases  of  hopeful  conversion  have  occurred, 
and  among  them  a  sportsman  well  known  to  the  fraternity, 
and  of  large  influence  among  them.'* 

At  a  later  date  he  adds  : 

*'  At  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  last  Sabbath, 
in  the  North  Presbyterian  Church  of  this  city,  forty-seven 
persons  were  received  into  fellowship,  of  whom  three  only 
were  by  certificate  from  other  churches.  Eleven  of  the 
forty-four  converts  were  teachers  of  the  Sunday-school  and 
mission-school  of  the  church,   and  twelve  of  them  were 


THE   HARVEST  WORK.  323 

scholars.  Only  one  of  the  whole  number  was  less  than  four- 
teen years  of  age,  and  more  than  half  had  passed  their 
eighteenth  year,  including  several  of  mature  years.  Very 
many  of  them  were  of  the  best  families  in  the  congregation, 
including  two,  a  son  and  a  daughter  of  the  pastor,  and  all 
of  them  are  regarded  as  valuable  accessions  to  the  church. 

*'  Avery  considerable  number  of  the  older  scholars  in  our 
Sunday  and  mission  schools  regard  themselves  as  recent 
converts.  These  will  be  organized  into  praying  bands,  each 
of  them  under  the  special  guardianship  of  some  experienced 
officer  or  member  of  the  church,  with  a  view  to  their  con- 
necting themselves  with  the  church  after  a  suitable  proba- 
tionship. 

"  Mr.  Hammond's  visit  has  been  attended  with  the  happi- 
est results,  and  many  of  the  congregation  have  learned 
greatly  to  love  him,  and  will  ever  gratefully  remember 
him." 

Mr.  Hammond  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of 
New  York  City  in  January,  1863.  He  was  not  only 
ordained  as  a  minister,  but  as  an  evangelist  for  this 
especial  work.  Dr.  Asa  D.  Smith,  afterward  presi- 
dent of  Dartmouth  College  ;  Dr.  Thomas  Skinner 
of  Union  Theological  Seminary,  Dr.  Hatfield,  Dr. 
Burchard,  Dr.  S.  H.  Cox,  and  many  others  took  part 
in  the  exercises.  Dr.  Mark  Hopkins  of  Williams 
College  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  the  text 
in  Eph.  4:11:  ' '  He  gave  some,  apostles  ;  and  some, 
prophets  ;  and  some,  ev^angelists  ;  and  some,  pastors 
and  teachers."  He  showed  first  that  evangehsts 
are  of  divine  appointment.  He  then  pointed  out 
what  evangelists  should  be  if  they   would  expect 


324  THE  HAEVEST  WORK 

the  confidence  and  co-operation  of  the  stated 
ministry.  Lastly,  he  showed  what  qualifications 
ministers  should  possess  if  they  would  derive  the 
greatest  advantage  from  the  labors  of  an  assistant. 

It  was  one  of  Dr.  Hopkins's  best  efforts.  The 
large  audience  in  Dr.  Burchard's  church  greatly 
enjoyed  it.  It  was  sent  to  Boston  to  be  printed,  but 
in  some  way  it  was  lost.  W.  S.  Gilman  of  ]N"ew 
York  offered  to  pay  liberally  for  its  reproduction. 
We  give  in  full  Dr.  Hopkins's  reply  to  this  propo- 
sition. 

*'  Williams  College,  November  7,  1863. 

**  My  dear  Sir  :  I  should  have  been  glad  to  see  more  of 
you  in  Rochester,  but  as  you  say,  my  time  was  very  fully 
occupied  with  the  meeting  of  the  American  Board. 

*'  The  loss  of  the  manuscript  I  regret,  because  I  considered 
in  the  sermon,  as  carefully  as  I  was  able,  the  subject  of 
evangelists,  and  intended  it  as  a  plea  for  them,  with  such 
cautions  that  I  hoped  the  more  conservative  portions  of 
those  who  really  favor  revivals  would  not  object  to  them. 
It  was  so  finished  that  I  was  willing  it  should  be  published, 
and  my  hope  was  that  it  would  do  good.  Still,  I  do  not 
think  there  is  the  same  call  for  such  a  discourse  as  at  some 
former  times,  because  it  seems  to  me  more  correct  views 
generally  prevail.  On  that  point,  however,  you  would  be 
more  likely  to  know  than  I. 

"  My  impression  is  that  as  the  occasion  is  past,  and  the  in- 
terest connected  with  it,  it  will  not  be  best  for  me  to  rewrite 
the  discourse.  I  have  notes  which  would  enable  me  to 
reproduce  the  general  course  of  thought,  but  it  could  not  be 
precisely  the  same  thing  as  it  ought  to  be. 

"  I  am  pleased  to  hear  that  you  are  better,  but  think  you 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  325 

to  blame  for  not  having  kept  yourself  well.  I  do  not  believe 
God  requires  the  kind  of  exertion  which  would  lay  aside  a 
young  man  like  you.  Look  at  Wesley,  cool  himself,  but 
setting  others  on  fire,  always  retaining  his  equanimity  and 
his  health.  Look  at  Whitefield,  who,  wonderful  as  were  his 
labors  and  exertions,  seems  to  have  known  how  to  measure 
them  by  his  strength.  No  matter  how  much  one  does,  if  he 
does  not  go  beyond  his  strength  and  so  impair  his  usefulness. 
"For  the  little  book,  'Blood  of  Jesus,'  you  sent  I  am 
much  obliged.  It  is  the  true  view  of  the  gospel,  and 
adapted  to  do  great  good,  We  shall  always  be  glad  to  see 
you  here. 

*'  With  great  regard,  yours, 

"  Mare  Hopkiks. 
"Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond." 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. 

From  New  York  he  went  to  Brooklyn,  at  the  in- 
vitation of  Dr.  T.  L.  Ciiyler,  Dr.  Budington,  and 
others.  The  following  from  the  Sunday  School 
Times  will  give  some  idea  of  the  work  which  be- 
gan among  the  children,  but  soon  reached  those  of 
riper  years.  Miss  M.  E.  Winslow,  who  has  been 
most  useful,  especially  Avith  her  pen  as  editor  and 
writer  of  excellent  books,  was  led  at  that  time  to 
consecrate  her  life  to  the  Lord's  work. 

Rev.  Alvin  Bartlett,  D.D.,  now  pastor  of  one  of 
the  leading  churches  in  Washington,  D.  C,  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  meetings,  and  many  of  them 
were  held  in  his  church.  Meetings  for  the  first 
week  were  mostly  held  in  Dr.  Cuyler's  church. 

Mr.  Churchill,  the  superintendent  of  Dr.  Cuyler's 


326  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

Sunday-school,  through  the  conversion  of  his  own 
daughter  was  led  to  enter  more  heartily  into  the 
work,  and  when  the  next  Sabbath  came  he  found 
sixty-four  of  his  school  professing  to  have  found 
the  Saviour  during  that  week. 

"  The  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  has  been  holding  a  series  of 
meetings  in  this  city,  in  the  Brooklyn  Tabernacle,  one  of 
the  largest  church  edifices  in  the  city. 

'*  There  had  been  more  than  usual  interest  in  the  church. 
Christians  had  been  praying  with  more  fervency  for  the 
outpouring  of  God's  Spirit.  But  when  one  Sabbath  this 
stranger  brother  stood  up  among  us,  following  his  urgent 
appeals  to  sinners  by  the  question  personally,  '  Do  you  love 
Jesus  ? '  many  were  overwhelmed  with  conviction.  With 
one  accord  pastors  and  people  united  in  working  and  pray- 
ing for  the  salvation  of  sinners.  Many,  many  precious  souls 
have  been  led  to  the  Saviour. 

*' Every  afternoon,  stormy  or  clear,  large  buildings  have 
been  well  filled,  some  rejoicing  in  their  new-found  Saviour, 
others  anxiously  inquiring  the  way  to  be  saved. 

*'I  came  upon  a  little  girl  one  afternoon,  whose  plain 
dress  showed  her  to  be  of  the  poorer  class.  Under  the 
ragged  hood  there  was  a  simple,  sweet  face,  with  a  peaceful 
smile  that  made  me  expect  the  hearty  '  Oh,  yes, '  that  I 
received,  when  I  asked,  '  Do  you  love  Jesus  ? '  '  How  long 
have  you  loved  Him  ? '  I  said.  '  Ever  since  three  weeks  ago 
last  Sunday, '  was  the  reply.  '  I  never  knew  anything  about 
Him  before  ;  a  lady  asked  me  to  go  to  Sunday-school  then, 
and  a  gentleman  there  told  us  about  Jesus  and  how  He  came 
to  die  for  us,  and  so  I  could  not  help  loving  Him.'  '  But 
did  not  your  father  or  mother  ever  tell  you  anything  about 
the  dear    Saviour  ? '   I    said.     '  I   haven't  any  father    or 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  327 

mother,  or  brother  or  sister,  or  anybody — I  live  with  a  lady, 
and  when  the  gentleman  told  us  about  Jesus,  I  went  home 
and  asked  her,  and  she  told  me  a  great  deal  more.'  '  What 
makes  you  love  Him  ? '  I  asked.  '  Because  He  came  to  save 
me  from  my  sins. '  '  So  you  have  been  a  sinner  ? '  '  Oh, 
yes,  I  did  a  great  many  wicked  things  before  I  knew  how 
wrong  they  were,  but  Jesus  forgave  me.'  *  How  do  you 
know  He  forgave  you  ? '  'I  know  He  did  ;  I  just  asked 
Him,  and  left  Him  to  do  it.'  '  And  do  you  want  others  to 
come  to  Jesus  and  get  a  new  heart  ? '  '  Oh,  yes,  I  wish 
every  one  would  come,  and  then  they'd  be  so  happy.'  " 

MOCK   PRAYER-MEETING. 

"  At  another  time,  a  group  of  six  boys  were  kneeling, 
and  having  as  I  supposed  a  prayer-meeting,  but  on  watch- 
ing, I  discovered  they  were  laughing  instead  of  praying,  and 
as  they  rose  from  their  knees  I  saw  plainly  they  were  mak- 
ing sport,  by  a  mock-meeting,  of  some  boys  who  were  hold- 
ing a  real  one  near  by.  I  turned  to  ask  some  gentleman  to 
go  and  speak  with  them,  when  something  within  me  said. 
Go  yourself.  So  with  a  trembling  heart  I  went,  not  with 
any  special  purpose  of  then  leading  them  to  the  Saviour,  but 
to  try  and  show  them  what  a  terrible  thing  they  were  doing 
in  so  mocking  God.  One  of  these  boys  did  find  the  Saviour, 
and  tells  the  story  in  his  own  words,  as  follows  : 

"  '  A  lady  met  me  on  the  street,  and  asked  me  if  I  had 
been  to  any  of  the  children's  meetings  at  the  Tabernacle.  I 
told  her  no,  and  asked  her  what  they  were.  She  said  Mr. 
Hammond  met  the  children  there  every  afternoon  and 
talked  with  them  about  Jesus,  and  many  had  begun  to  love 
the  Saviour.  I  said  perhaps  I'd  come,  and  a  few  days  after 
came  to  the  meeting  and  brought  some  boys — thought  I'd 
have  some  fun.  Something  that  was  said  made  me  feel 
badly,  and  when  a  gentleman  came  and  talked  and  prayed 


328  THE   HARVEST   WORK. 

with  me,  I  thought  I'd  like  to  be  good,  and  two  or  three 
days  after  I  came  to  meeting  again.  Mr.  Hammond  said, 
after  the  meeting,  that  unless  we  were  waiting  to  be  talked 
with,  or  to  have  little  prayer-meetings,  we  must  go  home, 
so  I  told  the  boys  we'd  have  a  meeting.  We  knelt  down, 
laughing  all  the  time,  but  when  we  got  up  and  began  to 
sing  "  I  love  Jesus,"  a  lady  came  to  us  and  told  us  we  were 
doing  a  terrible  thing — we  were  mocking  God  ;  that  He  had 
seen  even  more  plainly  than  she  did  what  we  were  doing, 
and  that  when  we  sang  ' '  I  love  Jesus, ' '  we  were  telling  a 
lie,  for  we  were  really  hating  Him.  I  saw  we  had  been 
doing  wrong,  and  told  her  I  was  sorry,  but  she  said  I  must 
tell  God  so,  and  ask  Him  to  forgive  me.  Then  she  prayed 
with  us  and  went  away.  A  gentleman  came  and  talked  to 
me,  and  he  made  me  feel  how  very  wicked  I  had  been,  not 
only  in  doing  this,  but  all  my  life  long.  I  felt  so  bad  about 
my  sins  that  I  went  and  found  the  lady  again  and  asked  her, 
when  she  prayed  her  own  prayers  at  home,  if  she  would  not 
pray  for  me,  for  I  had  been  such  a  bad  boy.  She  said  we 
would  not  wait  until  she  went  home,  but  took  me  in  a  side 
seat  and  prayed  and  talked  with  me.  I  went  right  up- 
stairs as  soon  as  I  went  home,  and  asked  God  to  give  me  a 
new  heart  and  forgive  my  sins.  Mother  prayed  with  me 
too,  and  I  think  God  heard  me,  for  I  have  been  very  happy 
ever  since.  I  didn't  love  to  go  to  Sunday-school  before, 
but  now  Sunday  is  the  pleasantest  time  of  the  whole  week. 
We  have  prayer-meetings  now,  but  they  are  not  mock  ones. 
I  find  some  trouble  sometimes  in  doing  right,  and  often 
have  to  run  in  the  house  and  kneel  down,  I  come  so  near 
getting  mad  with  the  boys.'  " 

Mr.  Hammond  was  in  Brooklyn  four  weeks  hold- 
ing three  meetings  daily.  Among  the  adults  were 
some  striking  conversions. 


CHAPTEE   XIII. 

Utica  —  Analogical  Keasoning  —  Way  Prepared— Kochester — 
Nine  Hundred  in  a  Day — Dr.  Shaw — Niagara  Falls— Child 
and  Father — Eddie  and  Black  Joe. 

In  February,  1863,  at  the  invitation  of  Rev.  P.  H. 
Fowler,  D.D.,  and  most  of  the  ministers  of  Utica, 
Mr.  Hammond  commenced  a  series  of  meetings  in 
that  city.  A  few  months  before,  when  he  was  hold- 
ing services  in  Dr.  E.  F.  Hatfield's  church  in  New 
York,  Morgan  L.  Savage,  a  well-known  character 
on  the  Long  Island  race-course,  was  converted. 
We  have  been  informed  that  Mr.  Savage  is  still 
showing  by  his  Christian  Hf  e  that  the  change  in  him 
was  wrought  of  God.  He  sold  his  fast  horses, 
engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  connected  him- 
eeK  with  the  church.  He  was  indeed  one  of  the 
missing  links  to  reach  after  and  lift  up  those  far 
gone  in  sin.  Afterward  when  he  spoke  in  I^ewark 
to  a  great  open-air  meeting,  a  noted  gambler  was 
led  to  renounce  his  nefarious  business  and  give 
himseK  to  the  Lord's  work.  The  Utica  Daily  Oh- 
^erver  says  : 

**  Never  has  there  been  such  a  large  assemblage  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  as  there  was  last  evening.     The 


330  THE   HAEVEST   WORK 

body  of  the  church  was  full,  the  aisles  completely  choked 
up,  while  large  numbers  left  the  building,  unable  to  secure 
an  entrance. 

"  Mr.  Savage  alluded  to  his  having  visited  TJtica  twenty- 
five  years  ago  on  a  different  mission  from  the  present  one. 
He  was  then  with  a  circus  company.  He  told  of  the  influ- 
ences which  had  worked  upon,  without  affecting  him ; 
among  which  were  the  death  of  four  children,  and  finally 
that  of  his  wife,  a  patient,  suffering  Christian  woman. 
None  of  these  things  moved  him.  He  pursued  his  evil 
courses  all  the  same — gambling,  horse-racing,  and  the  like — 
never  going  to  church,  nor  listening  to  the  voice  of  con- 
science. He  had  good  Christian  friends  who  endeavored  to 
get  him  to  go  to  church,  but  he  fought  them  with  all  per- 
sistence possible.  Not  until  last  January  was  he  induced  to 
attend  church.  He  was  then  prevailed  upon  to  attend  Mr. 
Hammond's  meetings  at  Dr.  Hatfield's  church.  At  first  he 
was  talked  to  by  the  members,  and  the  second  night  he  con- 
cluded to  sit  nearer  the  door,  hoping  thus  to  avoid  conversa. 
tion.  Finally  he  made  up  his  mind  that  he  had  been  to 
church  enough.  He  would  not  be  a  Christian.  It  would  do 
well  enough  for  women  and  children.  He  had,  previous  to 
this  time,  been  so  far  wrought  upon  as  to  make  two  prayers, 
and  to  ask  a  blessing  over  his  food  twice.  He  decided  to 
go  to  the  theatre.  He  took  a  front  seat.  The  plays  were 
uninteresting.  He  began  to  feel  serious,  and  finally  to  cry. 
He  thought  it  must  be  the  work  of  the  Spirit.  He  wanted 
to  get  out,  which  he  did  with  much  difficulty,  and  said  he 
would  cry  for  the  distance  of  a  whole  block,  and  see  what 
good  that  would  do.  He  went  home,  and  found  some 
church  people  there,  and  talked  very  rudely  to  them  ;  finally 
ordered  them  out  of  the  house,  and  his  daughters  cried,  and 
he  thought  everybody  must  be  crying  that  night.  He  then 
ordered  his  daughters  to  go  to  bed.     When  alone,  he  sat 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIKIT.  331 

down  to  think,  and  so  he  spent  the  night.  He  continued  a 
similar  relation  of  his  trouble  of  mind,  of  his  church-goings, 
of  the  efforts  Mr.  Hammond  to  get  a  visit  from  him,  and 
finally  of  the  manner  in  which  the  reverend  gentleman 
secured  an  interview  by  asking  Mr.  S.  to  drive  him  out  in 
his  carriage.  This  he  did  ;  took  him  up  to  the  Central  Park, 
pointed  out  the  different  equipages  as  they  drove  past,  Mr. 
H.  in  the  mean  time  talking  to  him  about  his  soul.  He 
determined  not  to  be  caught  that  way  again.  This  sort  of 
a  struggle  continued  for  fourteen  days,  when  the  Spirit 
took  hold  of  him,  and  he  became  a  changed  man.  He 
spoke  with  great  ease  and  told  his  experience  in  a  straight- 
forward, earnest  manner,  which  carried  with  it  the  convic- 
tion of  sincerity. 

**  Mr.  S.  was  followed  by  Mr.  Hammond,  in  a  short  ser- 
mon, from  the  words,  *  This  is  a  faithful  saying,'  etc.  The 
audience  were  much  impressed.  The  inquiry-meeting  held 
many  hundreds  for  another  hour,  and  at  eleven  o'clock  the 
meeting  closed." 

The  superintendent  of  the  Westminster  Sunday- 
school  thus  wrote  to  the  Sunday  School  Times  of 
Philadelphia  of  the  work  of  God  in  Utica  : 

"  A  glorious  work  of  grace  is  in  progress  in  our  city. 
Two  weeks  ago  last  Sunday  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  began 
his  labors.  Ministers  of  the  various  denominations  placed 
themselves  in  sympathy  with  this  blessed  work.  The  ear- 
nest desires  and  united  prayers  of  Christians  swelled  the  tide 
of  religious  feeling,  so  that  sectarian  distinctions  and  jeal- 
ousies vanished,  and  all  hearts  seemed  to  flow  in  one  har- 
monious current. 

THE    NATURE    OP   THE    WORK. 

"  This  work  of  grace  is  in  many  important  respects  unlike 


332  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

any  other  we  have  here  witnessed.  The^  absence  of  '  relig- 
ious excitement '  strikes  the  attention  of  every  observer. 
Instead  of  those  powerful  external  emotions  that  so  often 
accompany  revival  seasons,  the  work  seems  to  be  dikected 
BY  THE  Holy  Spirit  uttering  his  still  small  voice,  and  while 
convicting  of  sin,  displaying  Christ's  perfect  righteousness 
as  the  blessed  provision  for  every  sinner,  and  offering  to 
clothe  as  with  a  garment  every  soul  willing  to  submit  to  His 
gracious  influence. 

THE   LOVE   OP   CHRIST   CONSTRAINING. 

*'  It  is  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  Mr.  Hammond's  preach- 
ing that  he  turns  toward  the  impenitent  that  face  of  the 
gospel  of  our  Lord  that  exhibits  His  infinite  love.  He 
loves  to  hold  up  before  the  mind  the  spectacle  of  the  Lamb 
OP  God  hanging  on  the  cross  expiating  the  sins  of  the 
world.  But  he  does  not  forget  also  to  utter,  in  the  words 
of  Jesus,  those  terrible  denunciations  against  all  who  refuse 
to  be  won  by  His  love.  God  is  honoring  such  preaching  of 
the  gospel  ly  the  conversion  of  hundreds  of  souls,  and  awaken- 
ing to  new  life  many  careless  Christians.  The  criticisms 
which  were  freely  made  now  are  almost  with  on  accord 
dropped,  under  the  conviction  that  this  is  indeed  the  work 
of  God  and  not  of  man. 

THE   ATTRACTING   POWER. 

"  The  labors  of  Mr.  H  were  at  first  specially  among  the 
children.  The  First  Presbyterian  Church,  the  largest  in  the 
city,  is  every  afternoon  filled  with  children  and  young  per- 
sons, drawn  thither  by  a  mysterious  and  invisible  power.  If 
we  should  undertake  to  state  what  that  power  is,  we  could 
only  say  that  it  is  the  name  of  Jesus.  No  one  who  has  once 
witnessed  the  sight  which  every  afternoon  may  here  be  seen, 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  333 

of  hundreds  of  children  gathering  to  hear  about  Jesus  ;  no 
one  who  hears  the  flood  of  melody  that  pours  heavenward 
in  the  sweet  songs  they  have  been  taught  by  the  Sabbath- 
school,  and  love  so  well  to  sing,  can  ever  forget  it. 

"  The  next  Sabbath,  in  passing  around  among  the  classes, 
we  found  that  there  were  seventy-eight  children  who 
thought  and  believed  they  had  given  their  hearts  to  Jesus  ; 
and  this  was  full  two  thirds  of  the  whole  number  present  ; 
and  nearly  all  the  others  were  either  under  deep  conviction 
or  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  become  Christians.  This  is 
but  an  evidence  of  what  is  the  fact  in  many  of  the  other 
Sunday-schools,  showing  what  God  is  doing  for  the  children 
of  our  city. 

REVIVALS   IN   SEMINARY   AND   COLLEGE. 

**In  the  Young  Ladies'  Seminary  in  this  city,  nearly  all 
who  are  boarders  have  become  Christians.  In  Hamilton 
College,  which  is  but  a  few  miles  distant,  a  powerful  revival 
is  in  progress,  and  it  was  publicly  stated  in  one  of  our  even- 
ing inquiry-meetings  that  all  but  seven  of  the  students  had 
BECOME  Christians,  or  were  anxiously  seeking  salvation. 
Dr.  Fowler  and  Mr.  H.  began  the  work  there  under  God. 

"  From  the  neighboring  villages  and  cities,  ministers  are 
flocking  in  to  catch  the  spirit  here  prevailing,  and  while 
they  rejoice  with  us,  are  asking  our  prayers  that  God  would 
bestow  similar  blessing  on  their  people  also.  All  seem  to 
be  changed  and  melted  in  the  presence  of  these  tokens  of 
God's  wonderful  works,  and  ministers  and  people  speak  and 
pray  as  they  never  did  before. 

ONE   INCIDKNT. 

*'  A  little  boy,  about  nine  years  old,  was  seeking  his 
Saviour,  but  could  not  find  Him.  He  was  in  great  trouble. 
He  came  to  Mr.  H.,  and  with  tears  asked  him  for  his  prayers, 


S34  a^HE  HARVEST  WORK 

saying  he  was  such  a  sinner  and  wanted  Jesus  to  pardon 
him.  The  next  day  he  said,  '  I  have  found  Jesus  ;'  but  sud- 
denly a  cloud  of  sorrow  passing  over  his  face,  he  said,  '  Mr. 
H.,  please  pray  for  my  father,  for  he  gets  drunk  and  beats 
us.'  The  gospel  had  reached  that  neglected  little  heart, 
and  forthwith  love  for  him — who  should  have  been  a  tender 
parent,  but  who  despitefully  used  and  abused  him — springs 
up  within  his  heart,  pleading  that  the  same  love  might  also 
reach  and  reform  his  wicked  father. 

THE   GOOD   WORK   GOING   ON. 

' '  The  morning  prayer-meetings  are  crowded  with  praying 
Christians  and  inquiring  souls.  At  the  morning  inquiry- 
meetings,  held  at  eight  o'clock,  are  also  large  numbers  of 
convicted  sinners  seeking  Christ.  The  afternoon  meetings 
for  the  children  are  intensely  interesting.  The  body  of  this 
large  church  is  daily  filled  with  children  and  young  persons. 
They  are  always  attentive,  thoughtful,  serious,  and  deeply 
in  earnest  while  they  listen  to  the  beautiful  stories  and  ten- 
der entreaties  of  their  friend  Mr.  Hammond.  He  seems  to 
carry  their  hearts  by  the  power  of  his  own  love  for  them, 
and  by  his  strong  faith  in  Christ,  almost  into  the  arms  of 
the  Good  Shepherd,  who  Himself  seems  present  to  receive 
them.  The  evening  meetings  are  crowded,  and  often  hun- 
dreds are  obliged  to  go  away  for  want  of  room  to  hold 
them.  After  each  meeting,  all  who  wish  personal  conversa- 
tion are  invited  to  remain,  and  often  six  or  eight  hundred 
linger  for  that  purpose.  The  interest  is  extending  rapidly 
among  the  young  men  and  the  business  men  of  the  city." 

STRIKING    CONVERSION    OF    A   YOUNG    LADY    WHO    SAYS, 
*'l   GLORIED   IN    MY   STUBBORNNESS." 

' '  At  the  time  of  the  revival  in  Utica,  I  was  attending  the 
young  ladies'  school  in  that  place.     I  was  one  of  that  class 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIEIT.  335 

who  know  but  little  religion,  and  cared  less.  I  loved  amuse- 
ments of  every  description,  and  being  the  only  child  of  an 
indulgent  and  unconverted  father,  nothing  was  refused  to 
gratify  my  wishes.  At  the  time  the  revival  was  in  progress, 
hearing  that  one  hundred  had  already  been  converted,  and 
many  more  seeking,  I  regarded  it  as  quite  a  novelty,  and 
resolved  to  go,  to  gratify  my  curiosity.  I  was  more  inter- 
ested in  the  sermon  than  I  cared  to  show  ;  a  friend  wished 
to  know  if  I  intended  to  remain  during  the  inquiry-meet- 
ing ?  I  answered  '  Yes, '  laughing  as  I  did  so,  and  saying  I 
would  risk  any  impression  being  made  on  me.  Several  con- 
versed with  me  during  the  time.  I  felt  deeply  convicted. 
I  made  every  effort  to  conceal  it,  for  I  inwardly  '  gloried  '  in 
my  slvMornness.  I  hurried  from  the  church,  but  Mr.  Ham- 
mond prevented  me  from  leaving,  by  asking  if  '  I  loved 
Jesus  ? '  I  was  indignant  to  think  a  stranger  should  ap- 
proach me  in  such  a  manner.  I  did  not  answer,  but  hurried 
away.  I  hiew  all  was  not  right  with  me.  I  went  to  my 
room,  took  up  some  of  my  most  difficult  studies,  hoping  to 
drown  the  feelings  which  were  fast  getting  mastery  over 
me,  but  I  could  not  rid  myself  of  those  feelings.  I  tried  to 
console  myself  with  the  thought  that  I  was  no  deeper  in- 
volved in  sin  than  were  many  of  my  companions.  Even  this 
did  not  set  my  mind  at  ease.  I  felt  half  angry  to  think  I 
allowed  myself  to  be  carried  away  with  those  simple  words, 
*  Do  you  love  Jesus  ?  '  Had  I  not  heard  them  many  times 
before  ?  I  could  not  rest.  The  following  morning  I  at- 
tended school.  My  companions  noted  my  feigned  cheerful- 
ness. Some  few  inquired  if  I  had  caught  the  'infection.' 
I  replied  carelessly,  that  diseases  of  such  a  nature  did  not 
affect  my  temperament  in  the  least.  Others  that  had  wit- 
nessed my  emotions  the  previous  evening  said  Mr.  Hammond 
had  made  me  his  victim.  Assuming  an  air  of  triumph,  I 
remarked  that  all  the  Hammonds  in  the  universe  could  not 


336  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

impress  me.  I  seemed  possessed  with  the  devil.  I  would 
not  go  the  next  evening  for  fear  I  should  he  converted.  I 
attended  a  party,  at  which  I  was  called  upon  to  preside  at 
the  piano  ;  but  my  mind  would  not  follow  the  waltz,  neither 
would  my  fingers  perform  their  accustomed  part,  and  more 
than  once  did  I  blend  the  strain  into  one  which  I  had  heard 
the  previous  night  :  '  Don't  reject  Him  just  now.'  It  dis- 
turbed the  dancers  very  much,  and  many  times  during  the 
evening  was  my  conduct  made  the  object  of  remarks.  I 
apologized  and  withdrew,  on  account  of  '  severe  headache, ' 
I  said,  and  was  believed. 

"I  attended  the  next  inquiry -meeting.  I  felt  deeply 
agitated,  and  was  about  to  leave  when  I  saw  Mr.  Hammond 
approach  me.  I  was  on  the  opposite  side,  and  I  endeavored 
to  escape  before  he  reached  the  place  where  I  was  standing, 
but  he  seemed  to  move  swifter  than  light.  He  made  me 
kneel  down,  actually  Tcneel  in  the  aisle.  Oh,  how  that  act 
humbled  me  !  Pride,  companions,  everything  was  forgot- 
ten, save  my  soul ;  I  paced  my  room  until  midnight.  Oh  ! 
the  agony  of  that  hour  will  never  be  forgotten — never.  I 
thought  my  day  of  salvation  had  passed.  I  felt  nearer  the 
gates  of  hell  than  those  of  heaven.  I  could  think  of  noth- 
ing but  sins  which  rose  in  multitudes  before  me  ;  sins 
which  had  long  been  forgotten  flashed  upon  my  already 
crowded  brain. 

"  What  could  I  do  ?  I  fell  upon  my  knees  ajidi  prayed,  in 
hroTcen  but  earnest  accents.  That  prayer  overcame  the  devil, 
that  evil  one  which  had  led  me  on  for  sixteen  years  in  the 
path  that  leads  to  destruction.  When  I  rose  a  strange  feel- 
ing came  upon  me — I  cannot  describe  it ;  it  can  only  be  known 
to  those  who  have  experienced  it.  I  felt  that  '  peace 
which  passeth  all  understanding. '  I  felt  that  I  loved  Jesus, 
loved  every  one,  and  that  Jesus  loved  me.  Could  it  be  re- 
ligion ?    I  felt  a  gradual  increase  of  happiness  with  the  in- 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  337 

crease  of  prayer.  The  world  may  call  this  excitement,  but  I 
know  there  is  a  reality  in  it.  Oh  !  the  height,  the  depth  of 
the  love  of  Jesus—  who  can  fathom  it  ?  If  my  friends  could 
but  see  their  danger  as  I  see  it,  they  would  not  dare  remain 
in  the  state  of  lethargy  they  are  in." 

REASONING    ANALOGICALLY. 

The  editor  of  the  Utica  Observer  thus  speaks  of 
the  mode  of  reasoning  used  ; 

"  Mr.  Hammond's  effectiveness  as  a  preacher  seems  to  us 
to  consist  chiefly  in  his  great  zeal  and  sincerity,  whereby  he 
commends  himself  to  men's  consciences,  as  feeling  all  he 
manifests,  and  meaning  all  he  says  ;  but  it  consists  next  in 
the  simplicity,  directness  and  transparency  of  his  discourses, 
and  the  pointedness  and  peculiarity  of  his  illustrations.  He 
reasons,  analogically  almost  altogetlier,  hut  every  analogy  has  a 
clear,  staHling,  and  convincing  meaning.  Thus  in  illustrating 
the  plan  of  divine  mercy  last  evening,  he  referred  to  the 
recent  order  of  General  "Wool,  providing  that  all  deserters 
who  reported  themselves  at  the  places  of  rendezvous  desig- 
nated by  the  first  of  April,  might  escape  punishment,  while 
the  others  should  suffer  the  severe  penalties  of  the  law. 
This  course  was  right,  and  similar  to  that  practised  by  all 
civilized  nations — was  a  necessity.  So  it  was  right  that  God 
should  give  sinners  a  space  for  repentance,  limiting  it  ac- 
cording to  the  necessities  of  His  government.  '  Now  what,' 
said  he,  '  would  fathers  and  mothers  think  of  you  if  you 
should  drug  and  stupefy  their  sons  till  the  first  of  April  so 
that  they  could  not  take  advantage  of  the  provisions  of  the 
order  ?  Shall  I  then  lull  you  to  indifference  respecting  the 
awful  penalties  of  God's  law,  and  the  refuge  of  escape  pro- 
vided ?    No,  it  must  be  my  business  to  alarm  you. '     In  all 


838  THE   HAEVEST   WORK 

his  anecdotes  and  illustrations  Mr,  Hammond  avoids  prelim- 
inaries, and  comes  directly  to  the  point  by  the  simplest  and 
plainest  route.  He  varies  his  voice  often  from  very  high  or 
loud  to  low  soft  tones.  He  quotes  much  sacred  poetry,  and 
always  with  effect.  His  face  is  strikingly  expressive,  and 
glows  with  the  enthusiasm  and  spontaneity  of  his  charac- 
ter." 

April  5th  a  series  of  ^'  union  meetings"  were  be- 
gun in  Rochester. 

THE    WAT   PREPARED. 

Dr.  p.  C.  Bush  says  : 

**  In  order  to  prepare  the  way  for  Mr.  Hammond  in  this 
city,  in  order  to  remove  all  prejudice  and  commend  him  to 
the  fullest  confidence  at  the  very  outset.  Dr.  Fowler,  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Utica,  a  man  suffi- 
ciently known  for  his  conservative  leanings,  came  down  and 
addressed  a  large  congregation  in  this  city  last  Monday 
evening,  giving  a  somewhat  detailed  and  very  interesting 
account  of  Mr.  Hammond's  labors,  and  of  the  great  and 
blessed  revival  now  in  progress  in  that  city. 

"  Dr.  Fowler  stated  that  all  classes  were  embraced  in  the 
great  ingathering — young  men,  sceptics,  and  scoffers.  The 
doctor  said,  in  substance,  *  I  know  Mr.  Hammond  as  thor- 
oughly as  one  man  can  know  another,  and  I  believe  him  to 
be  a  sincerely  good  and  godly  man.  He  is  also  tractable, 
not  headstrong  or  opinionated  ;  but  simple,  modest,  and 
childlike  in  all  his  deportment ;  always  ready  to  be  advised 
and  guided  by  those  with  whom  he  labors.  And  if  ever 
there  was  a  man  who  has  but  one  object,  it  is  Mr.  H. 
Truly  he  can  say,  '*  This  one  thing  I  do  ;"  he  lives  and  labors 
for  the  salvation  of  souls. ' 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  339 

"  Dr.  Fowler  did  not  undertake  to  say  how  many  conver- 
sions have  occurred  in  Utica.  The  Sabbath-schools  of  his 
own  church  number  one  thousand  or  twelve  hundred  schol- 
ars. He  thought  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  these  were 
already  indulging  hope,  to  say  nothing  of  the  adults  in  his 
own  congregation,  and  children  and  adults  in  others.  For 
all  the  churches  united  in  the  effort,  and  Baptist,  and  Pres- 
byterian, and  other  ministers  and  church-members  labored 
together  in  the  daily  prayer  and  inquiry  meetings  ;  denomi- 
national lines  seeming  to  be  obliterated,  love  and  joy  melt- 
ing all  into  one." 

Says  the  Independent : 

*'  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  has  labored  in  these  places  as  an 
efficient  and  delightful  help  to  the  pastors.  Mr.  H.  has  the 
'  gift '  pre-eminently,  the  power  of  interesting  children  in 
Christian  truth.  His  earnest  love  for  Jesus  and  for  souls, 
his  aptness  of  illustration,  his  power  of  language,  and  per- 
sonal magnetism  combine  to  give  him  a  singular  hold  on 
the  minds  not  only  of  the  young,  but  also  of  the  old. 

"iw  Rochester  about  nine  Jiunch^ed  united  on  one  Sabbath  to 
the  various  churches.  Never  have  they  had  so  good  a  work 
in  Rochester.  In  Utica  six  hundred  conversions  are  report- 
ed. In  Auburn  over  one  hundred  united  with  the  churches 
at  the  last  sacrament,  and  a  large  number  are  expected  to 
unite  at  the  next. 

''  We  hear  of  revivals  at  New  York  Mills,  New  Hartford, 
Cooperstown,  Cayuga  Bridge,  and  other  places.  Christians, 
blessed  in  the  cities,  go  forth  into  the  villages,  tell  their 
experiences,  and  introduce  with  happy  results  the  simple 
system  of  Mr.  Hammond's  inquiry-meetings." 

Rev.  J.  B.  Shaw,  D.D.,  now  for  more  than  forty 
years  pastor  of  the  Brick  Church  in  Rochester,  in  a 


340  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

letter  to    the  New   York  Evangelist^  June  llth, 
1863,  says  : 

*'  On  Sunday,  June  7th,  we  received  into  the  communion 
of  our  church  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  on  the  first  Sab- 
bath of  April  we  received  fifty-one,  making  two  hundred 
added  to  the  church  this  spring.  Nearly  all  of  these  are 
adults,  and  many  heads  of  families.  Those  added  to  the 
church  last  Sabbath  are  chiefiy  the  fruits  of  Brother  Ham- 
mond's labors.  He  came  here  the  first  of  April,  and  God 
came  with  him.  He  has  done  a  great  work — it  is  probably 
THE  GREATEST  WORK  with  which  this  favored  city  has  ever 
been  blessed.  We  regard  the  day  which  brought  that  dear 
servant  of  Christ  to  our  city  as  one  of  the  brightest  days  in 
the  calendar  of  our  church.  May  God  spare  his  life  and 
send  him  hither  again." 

It  was  officially  reported  at  the  State  Sunday- 
school  Convention  in  Troy  the  next  summer  that 
*'  one  thousand  and  over"  from  the  Sunday-schools 
in  Rochester  were  examined,  and  joined  the 
churches  as  the  result  of  this  revival. 

After  holding  meetings  for  a  few  days  at  Niagara 
Falls  with  Rev.  H.  A.  Edson  and  others,  he  went 
to  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

Dr.  Charles  Hawley,  with  the  other  pastors,  the 
professors  in  the  seminary,  and  the  students, 
engaged  heartily  in  the  work.  The  Philadelphia 
Sunday -School  Times  gives  the  following 

CHAPTER    OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

"  At  Auburn,  where  Mr.  Hammond  is  now  laboring,  a 
greater  interest  is  seen  in  religious  matters.     A  warm  Chris- 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  341 

tian  welcome  is  extended  to  him,  and  with  unaffected  sim- 
plicity of  heart  and  speech,  and  with  a  desire  to  promote 
God's  glory,  he  begins  his  labors.  Usually  a  union  meeting 
is  first  called  of  the  children  of  the  Sabbath-schools  ;  but 
services  are  held  and  sustained  for  all  classes.  Having, 
however,  secured  the  interest  of  the  lambs,  it  becomes  an 
easy  thing  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  sheep.  They  will 
follow  the  lambs  into  the  fold.  The  children,  so  to  speak, 
live  in  the  parlor,  and  when  the  Saviour  knocks  at  the  front 
door  they  hear  Him  at  once,  and  fly  to  open  it,  and  then 
they  carry  the  news  of  the  presence  of  the  Heavenly  Guest 
back  into  the  kitchen,  and  into  the  cellar  and  back  yard, 
where  the  older  people  live,  and  move  about  their  daily  em- 
ployments. 

A  child's  anxiety  for  her  father. 

* '  A  little  girl  about  nine  years  old  was  observed  ap- 
proaching an  earnest  lay  laborer  who  was  in  conversation 
with  an  inquirer.  She  could  not  wait  until  he  had  finished, 
but  grasping  his  hand  she  exclaimed,  '  Oh,  Mr.  L.,  I've 
done  it,  I've  done  it.'  'What  have  you  done,  my  little 
girl  ? '  '  Why,  I've  given  my  heart  to  the  blessed  Saviour, 
just  as  you  told  me  to  do,  and  oh,  I'm  so  happy  !  But,  oh, 
I  feel  so  for  my  poor  dear  papa.  He's  so  wicked.  When  I 
first  found  my  Saviour  two  weeks  ago,  he  was  very  angry 
with  me.  He  swore  terribly,  and  knocked  things  around 
and  used  awful  language.  Oh,  he's  so  wicked  !  Last  night 
I  tried  to  get  papa  to  go  to  meeting  with  mamma  and  me, 
and  he  was  so  angry,  and  I  threw  my  arms  around  his  neck, 
and  he  pushed  me  off,  and  he  swore,  and  I  cried,  and 
mamma  and  I  went  alone.  But  there  [pointing  to  him]  lie 
uts,  and  you  must  go  and  talk  and  pray  with  him. ' 

"  That  wicked  man  was  constrained  to  go  afterward  and 
alone,  and  remain  to  the  inquiry-meeting. 


342  THE  HARVEST   WORK. 

LITTLE    EDDIE    AND   BLACK  JOE. 

"  The  following  peculiarly  interesting  case  is  taken  from 
a  letter  written  by  a  lady  in  Rochester,  who,  after  giving  an 
account  of  the  hopeful  conversion  of  a  little  boy  of  six 
years,  at  the  children's  meeting  in  her  city,  adds  : 

**  *  We  are  boarding  at  a  large  hotel,  and  it  is  affecting  to 
hear  little  Eddie  ask  the  servants  if  they  love  Jesus,  and 
"  Won't  you  go  to-night  to  hear  Mr.  Hammond  ?"  We  have 
here  a  colored  man,  who  is  one  of  the  carvers  for  the  table. 
He  is  almost  an  infidel,  and  Eddie  has  been  asking  him  to 
go  and  hear  Mr.  Hammond  preach,  but  he  always  put  it  off. 
I  asked  him  to  go,  and  he  refused.  At  the  first  open-air 
meeting  which  was  held  here,  Eddie  went  after  him  to  his 
little  dingy  room,  and  asked  him  to  go  with  Mm.  He 
went,  and  when  he  met  me  there  he  apologized  for  going, 
saying,  ^^ Eddie  teased  so  !'''' 

*' '  When  the  meeting  was  out  Eddie  took  his  hand  and 
trotted  on  before  with  Joe,  and  I  saw  him  talking  in  his  in- 
nocent way  to  him,  and  overheard  Eddie  ask  him  : 

*'  *  "  Why  donH  you  love  Jesus,  Joe  ?" 

"  '  At  the  next  open-air  meeting  I  saw  "  black  Joe"  come 
alone  quite  eagerly  and  early,  and  /  saw  Mm  with  tears  in 
his  eyes  singing  with  that  vast  multitude  of  thousands.  I  saw 
him  last  night,  in  the  rain,  at  the  meeting,  and  to-day  when 
I  spoke  to  him  he  filled  up  at  once,  and  said  : 

u  (  ^i]\fj^s.  TF.,  if  lam  converted  you  may  thanh  Eddie  for 
it.    He  has  converted  me  when  no  minister  could  do  if'' '  " 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Meetings  in  Dr.  Kirk's  Church,  Boston— Lawrence,  Mass.— 
Andover  Theological  Seminary  Students— Haverhill— Benja- 
min Leavitt— Bridgeport  — Mr.  Hammond's  Father  — His 
Doubts— Newark— Dr.  Parker's  Testimony -Eesults  —  Ten 
Thousand  at  an  Open-air  Meeting-Post-Offlce  Clerks  Con- 
verted-'*! Die  Happy"— Hymn— "Jesus  of  Nazareth  Pass- 
eth  By"— Joining  Churches. 

BOSTON. 

In  the  fall  of  1863,  after  a  brief  visit  to  Montreal, 
Mr.  Hammond  held  meetings  in  Dr.  Kirk's  chnrcli 
in  Boston,  in  Lawrence,  and  Haverhill. 

While  Dr.  E.  N.  Kirk  was  in  Lawrence  assisting 
the  work,  he  said  : 

"  The  work  of  grace  in  Lawrence  is  a  grand  reproof  of 
the  infidelity  of  the  Church  respecting  the  conversion  of 

children. 

"  What  amazes  me  about  this  movement  is,  that  the  chil- 
dren understand  what  they  are  about.  Though  no  inquiry- 
meeting  was  appointed  when  Mr.  Hammond  first  addressed 
the  children  of  my  congregation,  yet  the  children  would  have 
one,  and  gathered  about  the  speaker  in  groups.  The  thing 
that  satisfied  me  was  that  the  little  ones  were  convinced  that 
tJiey  loei-e  sinners  in  not  helieving  in  Jesus. 


344  THE  HAEVEST   WORK 

*'  I  believe  that  I  myself  might  have  been  converted  at 
eight  years  old  if  I  had  been  taught  the  way.  And  how 
much  farther  and  faster  I  should  have  got  along!  In  my 
thirty  years'  experience  in  the  examination  of  applicants  for 
church-membership,  I  have  found  it  one  of  the  most  difficult 
things  to  get  them  to  speak  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  ac- 
knowledge their  dependence  upon  Him.  But  the  children 
who  are  instructed  in  these  meetings  seem  to  know  all  about 
Jesus  ! 

"Dr.  K.  read  a  little  letter  which  was  written  by  a  girl 
twelve  years  old  to  Mr.  Hammond,  relating  her  religious  ex- 
perience. The  child's  statements  were  as  clear  and  definite 
as  those  of  a  mature  saint,  and  expressed  with  a  sweet  sim- 
plicity which  an  adult  could  not  equal." 


'^I  WANT   TO   FIND   JESUS,   AND   I   CAn't.  " 

' '  The  first  night  he  spoke  to  the  children  at  the  Mount 
Vernon  church,  after  the  services  were  through,  many  of 
them,  instead  of  being  anxious  to  go  home,  were  gathered 
around  him,  as  chickens  gather  around  one  scattering 
crumbs  to  feed  them. 

''A  GOOD  Christian  LADY,  who  felt  she  could  not  converse 
and  pray  with  the  children,  at  one  of  the  inquirv-meetings 
saw  a  little  girl  sitting  alone,  no  one  appearing  to  care  for 
her  tears.  She  pitied  the  child,  went  to  her,  and  asked  her 
a  question.  The  child  said,  '  I  know  you  are  talking  to 
me,  but  I  am  deaf,  and  can't  hear  what  you  say.  I  haven't 
heard  Mr.  Hammond,  but  I  want  to  find  Jesus,  and 
can't.'  The  lady  is  not  easily  moved  to  tears,  but  found 
this  too  much  to  bear  stoically,  so  she  wept  freely.  She 
afterward  said  it  made  her  realize  how  many  lightly-prized 
blessings  were  granted  her  for  which  she  had  never  thanked 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  345 

the  Giver.     Thus  the  Holy  Spirit  touches  each  heart  and 
draws  it  upward. 

"The  question  was  asked  if  we  knew  Mr.  Hammond's  art 
in  revivals.  The  answer  was,  '  No, '  unless  it  is  his  not 
having  any.  The  questioner  believed  it  was  in  getting 
cold-hearted  Christians  to  speak  to  these  penitent  little 
ones,  pray  with  them,  and  lead  them  to  the  Good  Shepherd. 
This  so  warms  their  own  souls  that  they  are  soon  ready  to 
co-operate  with  him  heartily  in  this  blessed  work.  It 
does,  indeed,  seem  that  the  most  unbelieving  heart  could 
not  remain  so  five  minutes  among  these  dear  bleating  lambs, 
whom  Jesus  loves,  and  of  whom  He  says,  '  Suffer  them  to 
come  unto  Me.'  Mr.  Hammond  talks  incessantly  about 
Jesus,  constantly  presents  Him,  who  was  '  lifted  up, '  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
eternal  life.  He  reads  few  passages  of  Scripture  where  he 
finds  not  something  in  them  which  points  to  Jesus.  Is  this 
not  one  of  the  reasons  that  the  Saviour  can  so  wonderfully 
bless  his  labors?" 

ANDOVER  STUDENTS. 

A  writer,  speaking  of  the  work  in  Lawrence  and 
of  the  part  the  theological  students  from  Andover 
took  in  it,  says  : 

''  At  the  inquiry-meeting,  you  may  see  the  good  of  both 
sexes,  of  various  ages,  of  different  denominations,  of  dis- 
similar professions  and  worldly  positions,  all  scattered 
among  the  hundreds  of  souls  which  the  arrows  of  the  Spirit 
have  wounded,  bearing  them  the  consolations  of  the  gospel. 
Some  of  the  workers  were  among  those  who,  a  few  years 
since,  passed  a  long  gloomy  night  in  the  City  Hall,  striving 
to  relieve  the  poor,  burned,  and  bruised  victims  of  the, 
Pemberton  tragedy. 


346  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

"  There  was  at  first  a  critical  spirit  on  the  part  of  the 
members  of  the  seminary,  but  I  have  already  heard  many 
express  themselves  as  refreshed  by  contact  with  awakened 
sinners  at  the  meeting.  They  are  becoming  too  much  in- 
terested for  uncharitable  comments.  '  They  are  now  diving 
for  the  pearls,  and  don't  mind  the  ripples  and  bubbles  on  the 
surface.'  And  when  they  see  these  set  in  the  Saviour's 
diadem,  will  they  not  rejoice  that  they  participated  in  seek- 
ing them  ?" 

When  Mr.  Hammond  left  Haverhill  he  intended 
to  sail  for  England,  where  he  had  been  invited  to 
hold  services,  but  on  the  way  to  his  home  in 
Yernon,  Conn.,  he  was  too  late  for  the  train  at 
Hartford,  and  so  spent  the  Sabbath  with  his  old 
classmate,  Mr.  Lobdell,  at  Bridgeport.  A  revival 
at  once  ^^  broke  out,"  and  he  was  compelled  to 
remain  four  weeks.  The  Bridgeport  Standard  of 
February  22d,  speaking  of  one  of  the  meetings, 
says  : 

*'  Those  who  attended  the  great  meeting  yesterday  after- 
noon at  the  North  Church,  and  in  South  Church  in  the  even- 
ing, must  have  seen  that  a  most  wonderful  interest  in  re- 
ligious things  was  pervading  the  minds  of  multitudes  in  our 
city.  Such  packed  houses  have  not  been  seen  in  Bridge- 
port for  many  a  day.  We  have  rarely  seen  a  more  deeply 
impressed  audience  than  at  Dr.  Smith's  church  in  the  morn- 
ing and  afternoon.  The  sermons  delivered  by  Mr.  Ham- 
mond seemed  to  be  received  with  great  kindness.  The 
whole  audience  at  times  was  melted.  Many  were  in  tears, 
as  with  moistened  eyes  and  deep  emotion  the  speaker  told  of 
the  love  of  Christ  in  giving  Himself  to  deliver  us  from  the 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  347 

curse  of  &  broken  law.  In  the  evening  the  South  Church 
could  not  well  have  been  more  crowded.  Hundreds  upon 
hundreds  in  all  the  aisles  and  about  the  doors  and  in  the 
side  rooms  were  standing.  Among  the  requests  for  prayer 
was  the  following  note  : 

**  *  I  have  attended  nearly  all  of  the  meetings  since  you 
came  here.  Your  words  did  not  seem  to  make  me  feel 
what  a  great  sinner  I  was,  until  last  Sabbath.  I  then  felt 
what  a  great  sinner  I  was  in  the  sight  of  God.  I  felt  like 
crying  all  the  time,  and  when  you  came  and  spoke  to  me  so 
kindly,  I  thought  I  would  not  keep  in  any  longer  ;  but  Satan 
said  to  me,  Don't  be  so  foolish  as  to  cry.  Monday  after- 
noon I  attended  the  prayer-meeting,  and  a  kind  Christian 
friend  spoke  to  me,  and  I  cannot  tell  you  hew  dreadfully 
I  felt.  On  Tuesday  evening  I  went  to  the  meeting  in  the 
"Parlor,"  and  there  my  Sabbath-school  teacher  spoke  to 
me.  I  shall  never  forget  his  precious  words.  That  night, 
before  I  went  home,  I  think  I  found  the  Saviour,  and  oh,  I 
cannot  begin  to  tell  you  how  happy  I  have  been  since  then. 
I  have  felt  like  singing  and  saying  "  Praise  the  Lord  "  ever 
since.  It  was  a  time  of  rejoicing  with  my  dear  mother, 
for  I  have  been  a  child  of  many  prayers.  I  have  a  father 
and  a  sister  who  attend  the  meetings,  I  am  afraid  for  idle 
curiosity.  Will  you  pray  for  them,  that  they  may  become 
children  of  God  ?  Oh,  will  you  say  to  poor  sinners  for  me, 
*'  seek  ye  the  Lord  while  He  may  be  found  "  '  ?  " 

MR.  Hammond's  father. 

"At  Mr.  Hammond's  farewell  meeting  in  Bridgeport,  after 
Dr.  Smith  had  spoken  in  regard  to  the  blessed  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  their  city,  an  old  gentleman  of  about  seventy- 
five  winters,  a  stranger  to  nearly  all  present,  was  seen 
slowly  walking  up  the  centre  aisle  of  the  church,  and  turn- 


348  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

ing,  he  addressed  the  audience  as  follows  :  '  I  should 
like,'  said  he,  '  to  say  a  few  words  before  this  meeting 
closes.  This  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  meetings  which  I 
have  attended,  conducted  by  my  son.  I  have  often  read 
about  meetings  like  these,  I  must  confess,  with  a  good  deal 
of  unbelief.  Being  naturally  of  a  conservative  turn  of 
mind,  I  was  slow  to  receive  the  glowing  accounts  I  had 
read,  of  meetings  like  these.  Especially  was  I  incredulous 
with  regard  to  the  "  children's  meetings,"  and  the  reports  I 
had  read  of  their  numerous  conversions.  I  thought  them 
exaggerated  statements.  I  feared  that  too  much  depend- 
ence was  placed  upon  human  agency,  and  that  there  was  too 
little  7'eliance  upon  the  ivdispensable  agency  of  the  Eoly  Spirit. 
But  since  leaving  my  home,  sixty  miles  away,  and  attending 
these  daily  gatherings,  I  am  more  than  satisfied  this  is  not 
the  worh  of  any  man^  but  that  God  of  a  truth  is  in  this 
place,  leading  young  and  old  to  the  Saviour's  feet. 

"  '  I  never  saw  such  a  sight  as  I  witnessed  in  the  "  chil- 
dren's meeting"  yesterday.  The  faces  of  those  hundreds  of 
children  shone  with  a  ' '  heavenly  lustre, ' '  and  I  could  but 
believe  that  they  had  been  taught  by  the  Holy  Spirit  that 
wisdom,  which,  the  wise  man  saith,  ' '  maketh  the  face  to 
shine"  (Eccl.  8  :  11.  It  seemed  as  if  they  were  almost 
possessed  with  angels'  wings,  and  ready  to  fly  away  to  their 
Saviour's  presence  in  heaven.  And  when  some  of  them  told 
me  the  simple  story  of  their  conversion,  and  gave  me  the 
scriptural  evidence  of  their  hope  in  Christ,  I  could  but  put 
my  hand  upon  my  mouth,  and  exclaim,  The  half  has  not 
been  told.  "  Itis  the  Lord's  doings  ;  it  is  marvellous  in  our 
eyes ;  my  unbelief  is  gone  ;  I  praise  the  Lord  for  what  I 
have  seen."  ' 

''These  words,  and  others  from  Mr.  Hammond's  venerable 
father  which  we  have  not  room  to  report,  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  the  audience,  and  many  were  in  tears. ' ' 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  349 

LETTER    FROM    MR.    EDWARD    STERLING,   1883 PERMA- 
NENT  RESULTS. 

'  "  In  reference  to  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  here,  I  find 
the  followitig  in  our  church  records  in  the  annual  report, 
March  1st,  1865  :  '  In  January,  1864,  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond, 
whose  labors  in  other  places  had  been  greatly  blessed  of 
God,  was  invited  by  our  pastor  and  others  to  hold  a 
series  of  meetings  here.  He  remained  with  us  about  four 
weeks.  The  pastor  and  many  members  of  this  church,  also 
the  pastors  and  members  of  some  of  the  other  churches, 
co-operated  with  Mr.  Hammond  in  his  labors,  and  God  was 
pleased  to  pour  out  His  Spirit,  and  many  souls  were  con- 
verted. As  a  result  of  this  precious  work,  fifty-three  were 
added  to  this  church  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  May,  moit,  if 
not  all,  of  wTwrn  still  give  good  evidence  of  a  true  change  of 
heart,  and  remain  faithful  in  the  service  of  our  Master.  Dur- 
ing the  past  year  more  have  united  with  this  church  than  in 
any  previous  year  of  its  history.  Those  who  united  at  that 
time  include  many  of  our  most  faithful  members,  and  no 
consecutive  list  of  the  same  number  could  be  taken  from  the 
records  who  bore  higher  Christian  characters,  or  were 
more  faithful  and  active  in  the  prayer-meeting,  or  the  Sab- 
bath-school, or  general  work  for  Christ.'  " 

NEWARK,    N.    J. LETTER   FROM    DR.    PARKER. 

On  March  13tli,  1864,  the  evangelist  began  a 
series  of  union  services  in  Newark,  IS".  J.  The 
New  York  Ohserver  contained  the  following  con- 
cerning this  religious  movement : 

"The  Rev.  Joel  Parker,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Park  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Newark,  sends  us  the  following  account  of 
the  remarkable  religious  movement  of  that  city  : 


350  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

"  *  Mr.  Hammond  came  to  Newark  and  held  his  first  meet- 
ing in  the  Park  Presbyterian  Church  on  Sunday  afternoon. 
An  immense  audience  was  assembled,  and  a  deep  and  ten- 
der impression  was  produced. 

"  '  The  next  day  the  meeting  was  held  in  the  First  Baptist 
Church  (Rev.  Dr.  Fish's).  It  is  the  largest  audience-room 
in  Newark,  and  was  filled  to  repletion.  At  the  close  of  Mr. 
Hammond's  address,  a  meeting  of  free  conference  was  held, 
in  which  not  less  than  six  hundred  remained  for  conversa- 
tion and  prayer. 

"  '  The  feeling  was  deep  and  overwhelming.  Ministers 
and  Christian  people  engaged  freely  in  these  conversations. 
Each  day,  from  that  time  to  this,  similar  meetings  have 
been  held  in  several  churches. 

"  *  The  evangelical  ministers  in  union  have  agreed  upon  a 
continuance  of  the  meeting  daily  through  the  week.  Mon- 
day and  Tuesday  the  meetings  are  to  be  held  in  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  (Dr.  Stearnes's)  ;  Wednesday  and 
Thursday,  in  the  First  Baptist  Church  ;  Friday,  in  the  First 
Dutch  Church  (Rev.  Mr.  Terhune's)  ;  and  on  Saturday,  in 
the  Methodist  Church  in  Halsey  Street. 

"'The  meetings  thus  far  have  grown  in  interest  from 
the  first,  and  the  hands  of  the  pastors  are  full  of  work  in 
their  separate  congregations,  for  many  children  and  adults 
are  inquiring  what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved. 

"  '  Scenes  of  great  interest  are  every  day  occurring.  We 
saw,  in  the  side  room  of  one  of  our  churches,  sixty  boys  on 
their  knees,  one  after  another  praying  with  solemn,  quiet 
earnestness,  and  with  as  much  order  as  a  Fulton  Street 
prayer-meeting. 

* '  *  We  ask  our  friends  who  would  understand  the  matter 
to  come  and  see  for  themselves.  We  say  see  it,  not  glance 
at  a  single  meeting  and  the  apparent  unintelligible  confu- 
sion of  a  crowd  that  seem  to  move  like  a  swarm  of  bees, 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  361 

but  stop  and  talk  with  the  individual  inquirers  and  hopeful 
converts.' " 

RESULTS. 

The  New  York  Evarigelisfs  correspondent  gives 
the  following  epitome  of  the  great  revival  in 
Newark  : 

* '  Last  week  two  churches  were  opened  every  night. 
Several  nights  twenty-five  hundred  people  were  crowded 
into  one  of  these  churches,  and  at  least  one  thousand  into 
the  other.  Mr.  Hammond  spoke  at  both  churches.  Rev. 
Dr.  Joel  Parker,  with  whose  labors  in  kind  every  church- 
goer in  our  connection  in  New  York  is  familiar,  has  been 
indefatigable,  and  has  nobly  sustained  and  assisted  Mr. 
Hammond  in  his  labors,  so  wonderfully  abundant.  Morgan 
L.  Savage,  a  member  of  Dr.  Hatfield's  church,  New  York, 
has  added  interest  to  the  meetings  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  week,  and  to  the  open-air  meeting  yesterday,  by  his 
narration  of  the  manner  in  which  he  found  a  Saviour. 
Though  once  eminent  as  a  sinner,  he  is  now  a  humble  dis- 
ciple. 

"  Our  clergymen  of  all  denominations  have  sympathized 
in  the  work,  and  there  are  no  churches  which  are  not 
watered  and  blessed.  We  saw  at  one  inquiry-meeting  full 
five  hundred  young  men  among  the  converts  or  inquirers. 

"  The  events  of  the  week  culminated  in  an  open-air 
meeting  on  Sabbath  p.m.,  at  which  there  were  present,  at 
some  time  during  the  meeting  full  ten  thousand  persons. 
The  bulk  of  the  audience  were  men  who  would  not  enter  a 
Protestant  church.  The  Mayor  presided.  We  have  lived 
opposite  the  Park  for  about  twenty  years,  and  we  never  saw 
so  many  at  any  political  mass-meeting  collected  there.  The 
crowd  carried  home  many  wholesome  truths  fastened  by 


352  THE   HAKVEST  ^^^ORK 

striking  and  very  appropriate  illustrations  in  the  peculiar 
style  of  Mr.  Hammond. 

"  We  think  more  than  one  thousand  believe  that  they  have 
learned  to  love  Jesus  during  these  five  weeks. 

"  All  the  clerks  in  our  post-office,  and  many  whole 
families  of  four,  five,  and  six  sons  and  daughters,  are  among 
the  converts.  We  could  tell  of  a  dozen  young  men  who 
have  been  regarded  by  their  parents  as  lost,  who  are  now 
giving  good  evidence  of  having  found  the  pearl. 

*■ '  We  know  of  one  little  girl  whose  parents — good  Pres- 
byterians, but  afraid  of  '  excitement ' — would  not  let  her 
go  to  hear  Mr.  Hammond,  who  attributes  her  conversion  to 
the  influence  of  another  child  whose  parents  took  a  different 
view  of  the  subject.  A  young  man  in  an  Episcopal  family 
was  converted  by  the  same  kind  of  influence.  The  child 
was  taken  suddenly  ill — was  told  that  she  must  die.  She 
said,  '  Jesus  is  my  friend.  I  die  happy.'  To  the  surprise 
of  her  parents,  she  had  attended  Mr.  Hammond's  meetings, 
and  had  learned  to  love  Jesus. 

"  We  have  passed  through  many  revival  seasons,  but  we 
have  never  seen  any  in  which  the  teaching  was  so  perfectly 
orthodox. 

"  At  the  farewell  in  the  presence  of  two  thousand 
people,  Kev.  Dr.  Henry  C.  Fish,  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
said:  '  The  result  of  Mr.  H.'s  labors  was  that  the  people 
had  been  put  to  work,  had  learned  how  to  work.  The  num- 
ber of  conversions  has  been  very  large,  not  less  than  one 
thousand,  of  which  Jive  hundred  are  adults.  Joy  has  been 
brought  into  many  a  household. '  He  was  reminded  of  the 
text,  '  There  was  joy  in  that  city.'  '  This  is  the  most  won- 
derful work  that  I  ever  saw  in  Newark — greater  than 
1857-58.'  " 

The  hymn  ''  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by"  was 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  353 

written  Ijy  Miss  Eta  Campbell  as  a  description  of 
the  wonderful  scenes  witnessed  in  Newark  at  that 
time.  She  handed  it  to  Mr.  Hammond,  and  he  had 
it  set  to  music,  and  afterward  he  used  it  continu- 
ously in  his  meetings  with  excellent  effect.  Some 
eight  years  after  Mr.  Sankey  began  to  sing  it,  and 
so  it  has  been  sent  around  the  world  doino^  2:ood. 
Many  have  attributed  their  conversion  to  the  sing- 
ing of  that  hymn.     We  give  it  in  full  : 

"  Wnat  means  this  eager,  anxious  throng 
Pressing  our  busy  streets  along  ? 
These  wondrous  gatherings  day  by  day  ? 
What  means  this  strange  commotion,  pray  ? 
Voices,  in  accents  hushed,  reply, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  !  ' 

"  E'en  children  feel  the  potent  spell, 
And  haste  their  new-found  joy  to  tell. 
In  crowds  they  to  the  place  repair, 
Where  Christians  daily  bow  in  prayer. 
Hosannas  mingle  with  the  cry, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  ! ' 

"  Who  is  this  Jesus  ?     Why  should  He 
The  city  move  so  mightily  ? 
A  passing  stranger,  has  He  skill 
To  charm  the  multitude  at  will  ? 
Again  the  stirring  tones  reply, 
*  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  ! ' 

**  Jesus  !  'tis  He  who  once  below 
Man's  pathway  trod,  'mid  pain  and  woe  ; 


j 

354  THE  HARVEST  WORK  ] 

And  burdened  hearts,  where'er  He  came, 

Brought  out  their  sick,  and  deaf,  and  lame  ;  j 

Blind  men  rejoiced  to  hear  the  cry,  j 

'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  ! '  1 


(( 


Again  He  comes,  from  place  to  place 
His  holy  footprints  we  can  trace. 
He  pauses  at  our  threshold — nay, 
He  enters,  condescends  to  stay  ! 
Shall  we  not  gladly  raise  the  cry, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  ? ' 

"  Ho,  all  ye  heavy  laden,  come  ! 

Here's  pardon,  comfort,  rest,  a  home. 
Lost  wanderers  from  a  Father's  face. 
Return,  accept  His  proffered  grace. 
Ye  tempted,  there's  a  refuge  nigh, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by  ! ' 

"  But  if  you  still  this  call  refuse, 
And  dare  such  wondrous  love  abuse, 
Soon  will  He  sadly  from  you  turn, 
Your  bitter  prayer  in  justice  spurn. 
'  Too  late  !  too  late  !  '  will  be  the  cry, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  passed  lyy  !  '  " 

It  was  reported  at  the  Sunday-school  Convention 
in  New  Jersey,  the  year  following  the  revival,  that 
over  one  thousand  from  the  Sahhath-sohools  in 
JSFewarJc  joined  the  various  churches  as  the  result  of 
God's  blessing  on  those  union  meetings  in  the 
spring  of  1864.  The  work  extended  in  the  towns 
and  cities  about  Newark.     Dr.  Parker,  Dr.  Fisk, 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  355 

Mr.  Aaron  Coe,  and  others  accompanied  Mr.  Ham- 
mond to  several  places,  where,  from  one  to  two 
hundred  in  each  place,  as  the  result  of  God's  bless- 
ing upon  a  few  meetings,  were  hopefully  led  to  the 
Saviour. 


CHAPTEK  XY. 

Buffalo  —  Chicago— Qualifications  —  Honors  Pastors— Timid 
Worker's  Experience— Minnesota — Open-air  Meetings— Va- 
cation Labors. 

From  !N"ewark  Mr.  Hammond  went  to  Buffalo, 
where  lie  spent  a  week  with  his  friend  Dr. 
Heacock.  Other  pastors  joined  in  the  work.  The 
blessing  of  God  rested  on  the  services,  and  many- 
professed  a  new-found  hope  in  Christ.  Dr.  Joel 
Parker  went  from  Newark  to  Chicago  to  assist  in 
preparing  the  way  for  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  in 
that  city.  Being  well  known  as  a  conservative, 
cautious  man,  his  words  did  much  good.  He  advised 
the  people  to  cordially  co-operate  with  Mr.  Ham- 
mond in  his  efforts  to  save  souls,  and  not  forget 
that  God's  work  was  to  be  carried  forward  in  the 
same  way  that  revivals  had  always  been — by  a 
blessing  on  fervent  prayer  and  faithful  labor. 

The  Chicago  Tribune  thus  speaks  of  the  first  ser- 
vice : 

*'  The  Rev.  Dr.  Patton's  church  was  crowded  full, 
above  and  below,  on  Thursday  afternoon,  to  listen  to  an 
address  from  *  the  children's  preacher.' 


THE   HARVEST   WORK.  357 

"The  sight  of  these  hundreds  of  children  earnestly 
listening  to  the  speaker,  and  uniting  with  so  much  heart  in 
the  soul-stirring  song  of  praise,  is  sufficient  to  show  that  chil- 
dren can  become  deeply  and  intelligently  interested  in  seri- 
ous things.  It  was  a  most  melting  scene  to  witness  the 
large  number  of  children  who  remained  for  conversation 
and  prayer.  As  ministers  and  Christians  were  moving 
about  speaking  words  of  comfort,  we  noticed  that  they 
were  sometimes  met  by  boys  and  girls  in  tears,  with  words, 
'  Will  you  please  pray  for  me  V  We  saw  whole  seats  full  of 
children  and  youth  waiting  patiently  with  bowed  heads  for 
some  one  to  come  and  tell  the  way  to  be  saved. 

"  It  is  observed  that  large  numbers  of  adults  attend,  and 
seem  as  deeply  interested  as  the  little  ones." 

Mr.  D.  L.  Moody  was  among  those  who  urged 
Mr.  Hammond  to  hold  meetings  in  Chicago.  He 
was  not  then  an  evangelist,  but  he  had  the  same 
earnest  spirit,  and  did  all  he  could  to  help  Mr. 
Hammond  in  his  work. 

The  editor  of  a  religious  paper  at  the  time  thus 
characterizes  the  work  : 

"  To  say  nothing  of  the  fact  that  Mr.  Hammond  has  a 
very  fine,  clear,  ringing  voice,  which  he  manages  with  skill, 
and  that  he  possesses  a  noble  physical  constitution,  which 
enables  him  to  endure  almost  any  amount  of  labor,  bearing 
a  comparison  in  both  these  respects  to  Spurgeon,  we  would 
refer  his  success  to  the  fact  that  he  is 

"  1.  A  man  of  prayer.  He  believes  in  the  promise  of  God 
to  hear  prayer,  and  he  constantly  pleads  that  promise  in 
faith.     Hence  God  is  honored,  and  sends  the  blessing. 

"2.  He  possesses  a  happy  faculty  of  leading  Christians 


358  THE  HARVEST    WORK. 

to  work  with  him  and  pray  with  him.  And  when  Chris- 
tians in  any  community  begin  thoroughly  to  work  and  pray, 
a  blessing  is  sure  to  follow. 

"3.  In  his  preaching  Mr.  H.  is  plain,  pointed,  and  evan- 
gelical. He  seems  to  have  resolved  with  Paul  to  know 
nothing  but  Christ  and  Him  crucified.     He  preaches  not 

HIMSELF,  BUT  ChRIST  JeSUS  THE   LORD.       He  HIDES    BEHIND 

THE  CROSS,  and  sinners  seeing  only  Jesus,  suffering,  dying 
for  them,  are  led  to  embrace  Him. 

' '  4.  Mr.  Hammond,  like  Spurgeon  and  the  Scotch 
divines  McCheyne  and  Bonar,  makes  large  use  of  the  Word 
of  God.  He  reads  it  largely,  and  draws  many  of  his  illus- 
trations from  it,  and  in  every  way  seeks  to  lodge  larger  por- 
tions of  the  word  in  the  minds  of  the  hearers.  No  true  re- 
vival can  exist  without  this,  and  we  regard  his  practice  in 
this  respect  a  very  hopeful  feature  of  the  work. 

"  5.  Mr.  H.  honors  the  pastors  of  the  churches.  He 
speaks  kindly  of  them,  consults  them,  commends  them,  and 
defends  them.  We  believe  that  all  true  Christians,  recent 
converts  and  others,  will  love  their  ministers  after  this  worlc, 
more  than  ever  ;  the  fact  speaks  volumes. 

' '  We  see  no  reason  to  doubt  the  genuineness  of  the  con- 
versions ;  and  if  we  care  for  as  we  should  those  brought 
under  the  Spirit's  power,  we  will  not  fear  the  result." 


SEEKING    KEST,   FINDING    WOKK. 

The  next  fields  of  labor  were  in  Minnesota.  Eed 
Wing,  Northfield,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Excelsior, 
engaged  his  attention.  Jnly  and  August  are  not  the 
most  favorable  times  for  evangelistic  work,  but  yet 
it  went  on  day  and  night.  The  evangelist  had  been 
invited  by  San  ford  Smith,  the  grandson  of  Edward 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  359 

D.  Griffin,  to  come  to  Minnesota  to  rest.  But 
nearly  all  the  time  he  was  there  he  held  two  or 
three  meetings  a  day.  In  St.  Fanl  nearly  all  the 
ministers  united  heartily  in  the  work.  Many  of  the 
meetings  were  held  in  D.  W.  IngersoU's  hall. 
Among  many  cases  of  conversion  we  select  the 
following  : 

"  A  little  girl  about  twelve  years  old  told  me,  with  her 
little  frame  shakiDg  with  emotion,  that  she  wanted  very 
much  indeed  to  be  a  Christian.  I  asked  her  why  she  did 
not  become  a  Christian,  and  she  replied  that  she  would,  in 
a  moment,  if  she  only  knew  how  to  do  so.  I  asked  her  if 
she  really  believed  that  Christ  would  do  just  as  He  said  He 
would  do  in  His  Word — '  Come  unto  Me,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest, '  '  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  Me,  for  of  such 
is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. '  She  believed  it,  but  did  not  un- 
derstand how  she  could  come  to  Him.  He  was  in  heaven, 
and  she  upon  earth.  The  answer  was  that  Christ  came  just 
as  near  to  children  and  men  now,  in  spirit,  as  He  ever  did 
in  body  ;  and  that  being  God,  He  knew  when  our  hearts 
were  given  to  Him  just  as  well  as  if  we  saw  Him  standing 
at  our  side.  She  did  not  know  clearly  what  it  was  to  give 
her  heart  to  Jesus,  so  I  inquired  how  she  would  obey 
mother  if  she  had  asked  for  something  which  she  could 
give.  She  said  that  she  would  take  it  and  place  it  right  in 
mother's  hand.  Now,  I  replied,  Jesus  says  to  you.  Give  Me 
yourself  ;  I  have  bought  you  with  My  life,  suffered  in  your 
stead,  that  you  might  live  with  Me  forever,  and  I  want  you 
to  give  yourself  to  Me  ;  will  you  do  it  ?  Yes,  she  said,  I 
will !  Then  let  us  kneel  down  just  here  and  give  ourselves 
to  our  dear  Saviour.  So  kneeling  down  in  the  pew  we  prayed 
as  if  we  were  seeking  Jesus  for  the  first  time,  and  solemnly 


360  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

said,  '  Here,  Lord,  we  give  ourselves  to  Thee,  'tis  all  that  we 
can  do.'  When  we  rose  she  wiped  away  the  tears  and 
smiled  as  brightly  as  the  sweetest  May  morning.  I  said,  If 
you  give  anything  to  mother,  you  never  take  it  back,  do 
you  ?  so  if  you  have  truly  given  yourself  to  Jesus  and  placed 
yourself  right  in  His  open  hand,  you  do  not  wish  to  take 
yourself  back,  do  you  ?  No,  indeed,  she  replied,  and  her 
eyes  were  sparkling  with  the  new  and  happy  dawning  of 
the  brightest  day  of  her  life.  Did  one  become  a  Christian 
at  that  moment  ?  Two  days  after  I  asked  her  if  she  be- 
longed to  Jesus  now.  She  smiled  and  said,  '  I  think  so. ' 
Can  you  not  say  '  I  know  so  ? '  She  replied  she  was  afraid 
to  say  that.  Then  I  replied,  If  you  have  any  doubt  at  all, 
let  us  just  kneel  down  and  give  ourselves  away  again,  for  I 
love  to  do  so  every  day.  How  happy  she  looked  when  we 
rose  !  and  immediately  taking  the  hand  of  a  little  friend 
with  her,  she  went  into  another  pew  to  tell  another  there 
how  to  find  the  same  Saviour  she  loved  so  dearly." 

HAPPY    EXPERIENCE   OF    A   TIMID    WORKER    IN    ST. 
PAUL,    MINN. 

"On  that  first  Sunday  afternoon  Mr.  Hammond  had 
gone  over  the  main  part  of  his  sermon,  preparing  the  way 
for  the  personal  appeal  to  all  those  who  do  not  love  the 
Lord  Jesus.  He  had  shown  us  what  a  simple  matter  it  was 
to  '  believe  and  be  saved,'  and  how  important  it  was  to  do 
so  at  once.  He  turned  the  eyes  of  the  children  again  to 
the  Saviour  suffering  for  them,  by  an  impressive  story  il- 
lustrating his  meaning,  and  after  asking  those  who  desired 
to  become  Christians  to  rise,  he  came  down  into  the  aisle, 
with  the  request  that  Sabbath-school  teachers,  and  all 
Christians,  would  speak  to  those  who  had  risen.  He  passed 
by  me  saying,    '  Come,   are  there  none  of  your  Sabbath- 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  361 

school  class  here  ?'  I  replied,  '  Yes,  but  how  can  I  speak 
to  them  now  ? '  His  hurried  answer — for  he  had  no  time 
to  argue  then — was,  '  Do  as  I  tell  you.'  But  I  stood  as  if 
unable  to  move,  while  he  went  from  one  to  another  weep- 
ing child — and  the  room  was  filled  with  them — urging 
them  to  '  come  to  Jesus  just  now  /  '  I  did  not  understand 
the  scene  ;  it  seemed  unreal,  and  I  dared  not  venture  upon 
what— Satan  suggested — might  prove  a  delusion.  But  a 
little  voice  sobbing  itself  into  my  heart  opened  my  eyes 
and  unsealed  my  lips.  I  thought,  Oh  !  if  I  could  sit  down 
alone  by  this  little  girl,  how  I  would  love  to  lead  her  to  the 
cross  of  our  dear  and  only  Saviour.  Immediately  the  Spirit 
whispered,  '  Would  you  leave  "  one  of  these  little  ones"  to 
die  because  there  are  others  in  the  same  room  ? '  and  I, 
with  a  trembling  heart  and  faltering  words,  but  a  '  Jesus 
help  me  '  for  my  strength,  told  her  as  well  as  I  knew  how 
to  say  and  mean,  '  Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  away,  'tis  all 
that  I  can  do  ! '  How  sweet  the  work  became  at  once, 
and  the  remaining  moments  spent  in  the  hall  were  more 
than  golden. 

"  A  few  days  ago  one  of  my  Sabbath-school  class — all 
but  one  of  whom  are  dear  little  Christians  now — said  to 

me,    'Fannie  W wants  to  see  you.'     I  did  not  know 

the  name,  and  the  description.  '  You  talked  to  her  on 
Sunday  afternoon.'  I  went  at  once,  and  received  a  glad 
welcome.  I  asked  her  how  long  it  had  been  since  she 
became  a  Christian.  '  I  gave  my  heart  to  Jesus  while 
you  prayed  for  me  that  afternoon,'  was  the  happy  answer. 

"  As  I  was  about  leaving  the  hall  that  first  afternoon,  one 
of  our  Sabbath-school  teachers  stopped  me,  saying,  '  I  am 
afraid  that  I  have  never  been  truly  converted.'  She  went 
on  to  give  the  reasons  of  such  conviction— no  joy  in  a  Chris- 
tian life,  no  comfort  in  prayer,  and  others  of  like  charac- 
ter.    But  the  simple  gospel  story,  explained  and  illustrated 


362  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

by  Mr.  H.,  was  bringing  her  face  to  face  with  the  cross,  and 
with  Jesus  the  only  way,  truth,  and  life.  So  I  said  to  her, 
'  It  seems  to  me  that  there  are  times  when  Christ  comes 
specially  near  to  all  of  us,  and  that  we  cannot  do  better 
than,  as  these  little  children,  to  begin  our  Christian  life 
anew  by  giving  ourselves,  with  all  honesty  of  purpose  and 
earnestness  of  endeavor,  again  to  Him  who  gave  Himself 
for  us.  Then  we  can  have  no  doubts,  for  '  whosoever 
Cometh  unto  Me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out, '  and  the  of tener 
we  go  thus  to  Him  the  surer  we  become  of  our  reception  ; 
and  it  has  seemed  as  if  '  the  blessedness  we  knew  when 
first  we  saw  the  Lord  '  was  being  revived  in  our  hearts 
with  even  more  than  its  long-lost  freshness.  .  .  . 

"  A  very  interesting  feature  of  Mr.  Hammond's  visit  to 
St.  Paul  and  the  North-West  has  been  the  open-air  meet- 
ings. These  have  from  the  outset  enlisted  the  hearty  co- 
operation of  the  pastors  of  the  several  evangelical  churches, 
who  have  contributed  their  best  endeavors  for  their  success. 
The  manner  of  conducting  them  has  been  to  select  some 
corner  where  three  or  four  thoroughfares  would  be  com- 
manded by  the  speakers'  voices,  and  commence  by  singing. 
Carriages  would  stop  for  those  riding  by  to  hear  what 
these  strange  sounds  and  scenes  might  mean.  Idlers  from 
neighboring  saloons  would  stroll  into  the  crowd  to  see  what 
this  new  thing  was,  and  the  windows  of  the  bar  and  bill- 
iard rooms  would  be  filled  with  those  who  would  pause, 
from  curiosity  at  first  and  interest  afterward.  Very  many 
who  have  not  been  within  a  church  for  years— with  which 
class  the  far  West  is  overflowing — have  thus  heard  again  the 
words  of  truth  and  mercy.  The  speakers'  voices  would 
ring  up  and  down  the  silent  streets  in  the  stillness  of  the 
Sabbath  hour,  and  find  their  way  into  the  offices  and  cham- 
bers around,  laden  with  the  words  that  burn.  Poor  sin- 
ners, who  are  the  despised  and  rejected  of  men,  here  heard 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  363 

the  glorious  messages  of  the  gospel  spoken  directly  to  them, 
and  in  addition  were  kindly  urged  to  '  drink  and  live, '  to 
'  believe  and  be  saved.' 

"  After  speaking  for  an  hour  in  the  open  air,  the  meet- 
ing would  be  adjourned  to  a  neighboring  hall,  ready  lighted 
and  open  for  the  purpose.  Here,  after  short  addresses  from 
our  own  ministers  and  a  closing  appeal  from  Mr.  Hammond, 
the  exercises  would  end  in  an  inquiry-meeting.  Opportunity 
is  thus  afforded  for  those  who  have  been  impressed  by  the 
truths  spoken  during  the  evening  to  be  told  more  of  what 
so  intimately  concerns  their  eternal  interests.  Many 
awakened  ones  remain  to  have  these  things  made  more  clear 
to  their  minds,  and  Christians  have  found  delightful  em- 
ployment in  leading  others  through  the  same  gate  which 
they  entered  years  before. 

"  As  to  the  numbers  present  at  these  open-air  gatherings, 
it  is  of  course  difficult  to  form  a  correct  estimate  ;  nor  is  it  a 
very  important  item  ;  for,  if  a  single  outcast  is  reclaimed 
through  their  instrumentality,  or  a  single  arrow  winged  by 
the  Spirit  shot  through  the  steel  encasing  the  Sabbath- 
breaker's  heart,  their  usefulness  is  established.  In  this 
frontier  country  it  would  not  be  expected  that  the  crowds 
of  eight  and  ten  thousand  which  listened  to  Mr.  Hammond 
in  Newark  and  in  other  Eastern  cities  could  be  collected 
together  ;  and  yet  I  have  been  told  that  as  many  as  fifteen 
hundred  have  stood  for  an  hour  to  hear  these  simple  gospel 
truths.  It  is  a  relief  to  be  in  the  cool  evening  air  after  the 
close  summer's  day — a  fact  which,  doubtless,  has  its  weight 
in  attracting  many.  Then,  the  freedom  to  come  and  go 
when  one  chooses  induces  many  to  stop  who  would  pass  the 
open  church  door,  with  the  thought  of  '  no  time  to  wait 
now.'  Thus  numbers  are  reached  by  the  ambassadors  of 
truth  who  have  successfully  closed  against  themselves  all 
other  avenues  of  approach. 


364  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

"  Mr.  Hammond's  practice  of  directly  connecting  the 
inquiry-meeting  with  the  preaching  seems  to  me  to  be  in 
accordance  with  sound  theory.  Many  are  brought  under  a 
sense  of  guilt  in  the  sight  of  God  by  the  earnest  appeals 
and  convincing  reasoning  of  our  ministry,  who,  for  the 
want  of  a  word  at  the  right  time  and  of  the  right  kind, 
harden  themselves  again  in  their  unbelief." 

VACATION    LABORS. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Mears,  D.D.,  of  the  American 
Presbyterian^  Philadelphia,  gives  this  brief  notice  : 

"  Our  readers  have  been  made  acquainted  with  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's labors  in  Chicago — where  the  correspondent  of  the 
Independent  reports  one  thousand  hopeful  conversions — at 
St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis,  during  this  tour.  At  Red  Wing, 
Minn.,  and  other  places  not  previously  mentioned,  his  labors 
were  equally  blessed.  Besides  the  number  mentioned  in 
Chicago,  it  is  believed  by  good  judges  that  as  many  as  six 
hundred  found  the  Saviour  through  these  vacation  labors. 
Indeed,  Mr.  Hammond  found  it  almost  impossible  to  carry 
out  his  intention  of  recruiting  in  this  visit  ;  his  aid  was  so 
earnestly  sought  that  he  could  not  find  it  in  his  heart  to 
refuse.  On  the  edge  of  Lake  Minnetonka,  twenty-five  miles 
west  of  St.  Paul,  whither  he  had  gone  to  camp  out,  he 
found  a  little  church,  whose  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Sheldon,  in- 
duced Mr.  Hammond  to  assist  in  special  services.  This  he 
did,  returning  at  night,  after  preaching,  to  his  bed  of 
boughs  in  the  woods,  and  resuming  his  hunting  and  fishing 
through  the  day.  Many  souls  were  hopefully  converted  at 
this  little  place.  Soon  after  Mr.  H.  started  in  a  north-west- 
erly direction  and  travelled  one  hundred  and  sixty-three 
miles  through  the  dense,  unbroken  pine  forests  of  Northern 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  365 

Minnesota,  toward  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior.  In  this 
trip  he  frequently  had  no  company  but  Chippewa  Indians. 
On  the  broad  river  St.  Louis  he  was  upset  in  a  sailboat,  and 
had  to  swim  for  his  life.  At  Superior  City  he  took  the 
steamboat  on  the  lake,  but  desiring  a  further  experience  of 
the  wild  life  of  the  woods,  he  soon  left  the  water  and  struck 
through  the  forests  of  Northern  Wisconsin,  and  kept  on, 
sometimes  with  a  single  guide,  sometimes  with  railroad  sur- 
veyors, fishing,  shooting  ducks,  prairie  hens,  and  one  deer, 
until  he  emerged  into  civilization  again  at  Green  Bay.  His 
whole  north-western  tour  has  lasted  three  months. 

"  One  of  the  subjects  which  lies  especially  near  his  heart 
is  open-air  'preaching.  As  witnessed  by  himself  abroad,  and 
as  practised  by  Mr.  H.  in  this  country,  it  has  commended 
itself  to  his  judgment  as  a  most  eflBlcient  and  valuable 
evangelizing  instrumentality.  At  our  request  Mr.  Ham- 
mond has  consented  to  furnish  for  our  columns  a  series  of 
articles,  in  which  he  will  present  the  results  of  his  own  ob- 
servation and  experience  in  this  branch  of  effort." 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

Hackettstown — G.  C.  Busli — Motlier's  Sickness  and  Death — 
Lines — Blairstown  and  Newton,  N.  J. — Marked  Features — 
Gathering  in  of  the  Fruit — One  Hundred  received  in  a  Day. 

In  January,  1865,  Mr.  Hammond  spent  three 
days  in  Hackettstown,  N.  J.  Rev.  G.  C.  Bush 
says,  '^  Christians  bow  themselves  in  prayer,  look- 
ing for  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Suddenly 
He  came.  When  the  sufferings  of  Jesus  were 
described,  hundreds  were  bathed  in  tears.  A  flood 
of  light  came  down  upon  the  audience.  The  Bible 
seemed  a  new  book.  Time  and  eternity  stood  be- 
fore us  in  new  relations.  It  was  evident  the  cloud 
of  God's  presence  was  leading  many  out  of  Egyp- 
tian bondage.  It  looks  as  if  hundreds  had  received 
the  new  song."  '^  Mr.  Hammond  stayed  with  us 
only  three  days.  During  that  time  about  two 
hundred  persons  expressed  their  interest  in  Christ." 
An  officer  in  one  of  the  churches  said  to  his  j)astor, 
'^  I  was  six  weeks  under  conviction  ;  I  fear  this  work 
has  been  too  rapid.  I  fear  these  young  converts  have 
jumped  over   something.^ ^     ''  Thank   the   Lord," 


THE    HARVEST   WORK.  367 

was  the  reply,  '^/  believe  they  have  jumped  over 
everything  into  the  arms  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ChHst?'^ 

MOTHER. 

In  the  winter  of  1865  Mr.  Hammond,  on  return- 
ing home,  found  his  mother  approaching  the 
borders  of  the  promised  land,  yet  she  lingered  long 
ere  she  passed  over.  By  her  bedside  and  with  the 
help  of  her  prayers  he  wrote  ^'  Children  and 
Jesus,"  which  has  been  owned  of  God  in  the  con- 
version of  many  souls.  One  of  Mr.  Spurgeon's 
members  stated  that  it  was  through  the  influence 
of  that  book  that  he  had  learned  to  hold  children's 
meetings  and  to  point  many  to  Christ.  From 
Washington,  N.  J.,  where  he  had  gone  for  a  few 
days,  he  was  called  by  a  telegram  to  witness  the 
final  entrance  of  his  sainted  mother,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-three,  to  the  promised  land.  Before  going 
there  to  hold  a  few  days'  meetings  he  had  the  assur- 
ance given  to  him  in  prayer  that  she  would  be 
spared  till  his  retui'n.  But  on  his  way  home  he  was 
told  that  she  was  dead.  His  heart  was  well-nigh 
broken  at  not  receiving  her  parting  blessing.  He 
was,  however,  rejoiced  to  find,  on  entering  his 
home,  that  he  had  been  misinformed.  After  wel- 
coming him,  she  soon  became  absorbed  with  the 
glorious  visions  of  heaven  which  seemed  vouchsafed 
to  her  in  a  way  we  cannot  explain.  It  did  appear 
as  if  she    literally  looked  through  the  gates  of  the 


368  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

New  Jerusalem.  Often,  with  gasping  breath  and 
with  a  heavenly  smile  upon  her  placid  countenance, 
she  exclaimed  : 

"  The  joyful  cherubs  clapped  their  wings 
And  sounded  grace  on  all  their  strings." 

In  writing  to  a  friend  February  8th,  1865,  Mr. 
Hammond  said  :  ''  Our  precious  mother  left  this 
world  of  sin  and  sorrow  last  night  at  a  quarter  to 
two  o'clock.  Never,  never  can  I  forget  her  ex- 
pression of  calm,  joyful  triumph,  just  as  she  was 
about  to  take  her  flight.  1  never  witnessed  any- 
thing so  glorious.  I  am  so  thankful  that  she 
seemed  to  be  perfectly  conscious  just  as  her  spirit 
was  borne  upward.  Her  sun  shone  out  the  brightest 
at  the  setting.  The  following  lines  came  to  me 
about  three  hours  after  mother's  transit  to  the  green 
fields  of  Paradise  : 

' '  Dearest  mother,  thou  hast  left  us, 
Left  us  for  a  happier  clime  ; 
God  our  Father  hath  bereft  us, 
We  shall  meet  no  more  in  time, 

'*  But  we  Boon  shall  meet  in  glory, 
Where  all  tears  are  wiped  away  ; 
Meet  to  part  no  more  forever, 
Till  fruition's  perfect  day. 

*'  All  thy  sorrows  now  are  ended, 
Thou  again  shalt  never  sigh  ; 
Now  in  praise  thy  voice  is  blended 
With  angelic  choirs  on  high. 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  369 

' '  Oft  our  eyes  are  dim  with  weeping, 
But  we  will  not  weep  for  thee, 
For  we  know  that  thou  art  reaping 
Joys  through  all  eternity. 

**  '  Oil,  come  quickly,  dearest  Jesus,' 
Was  thy  plaintive,  longing  cry  ; 
When  He  came  to  bear  thee  heavenward, 
Oh,  what  joy  lit  up  thine  eye  ! 

**  Volumes,  volumes  thou  didst  speak  then. 
With  those  soft,  expressive  eyes. 
Ere  the  Saviour  gently  closed  them. 
Bearing  thee  to  yonder  skies. 

"  Oh,  that  we  may  never  falter 

In  the  path  which  thou  hast  trod  ; 
Oft  we'll  meet  around  the  altar 
Where  thy  prayers  went  up  to  God. 

"  When  at  last  we  too  are  summoned 
Each  to  lay  our  armor  down. 
May  we  then  with  thee  be  numbered, 
And  receive  the  promised  crown.'' 

The  above  was  set  to  music  and  sung  at  her 
funerah  Mr.  Hammond  oft  in  his  sermons  refers 
with  much  tenderness  to  his  mother.  He  depended 
much  upon  her  ])rajers  in  his  efforts  for  the  Lord. 
Five  years  later  his  sainted  father  died  a  most  happy 
and  triumphant  death.  He  was  eighty-one  years 
of  age. 

Tlie  next  phices  visited  were  Blairstown  and 
Newton,  N.  J.     Concerning  the  work  in  the  latter 


370  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

place  we  find  the  following  in  the  American 
Presbyterian : 

DEEP    RELIGIOUS    INTEREST    IN    NEWTON,    N.    J. 

•  ' '  Our  town  has  been  deeply  moved  by  the  outpouring  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  A  few  Christians  had  long  been  earnestly 
praying  for  the  blessing,  but  yet  when  it  came  all  seemed 
to  be  taken  by  surprise.  We  could  not  believe  our  eyes 
when  we  saw  hundreds  asking,  with  tears,  what  they 
should  do  to  be  saved. 

"Mr.  Hammond  spent  Sabbath  morning  endeavoring  to 
get  Christians  to  pray  for  a  great  blessing,  and  not  to  be  sur- 
prised when  God  answered  their  prayers.  He  had  address- 
ed the  children's  meeting  Sabbath  afternoon,  which  crowd- 
ed the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church,  and  found,  as  he 
went  among  them,  that  almost  hundreds  seemed  convinced 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  that  they  were  sinners.  But  when  he 
asked  Christians  to  come  and  help — pointing  them  to  the 
Saviour — scarce  any,  at  the  first  meeting,  were  found  ready. 
But  in  a  day  or  two  Christians  were  heard  asking  God  to 
forgive  them,  that  after  they  had  been  praying  for  a  bless- 
ing so  long  there  was  not  found  '  room  enough  to  receive  it. ' 

' '  On  Monday  night,  after  the  sermon  to  adults,  at  the 
suggestion  of  one  of  the  ministers  the  anxious  were  invited 
to  one  part  of  the  house,  that  they  might  be  the  more 
readily  conversed  and  prayed  with.  At  once  over  a  hun- 
dred came.  All  heads  were  bowed,  and  many  were  in  tears. 
Judge  Ryerson  was  among  those  who  were  active  in  point- 
ing weeping  souls  to  the  cross.  Numbers  also  were  found 
in  the  audience  who  were  deeply  anxious  about  their  souls' 
salvation." 

He  only  remained  fonr  days  in  Newton.     The 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  371 

following  is  the  condensation  of  a  long  article  to 
the  New  York  Observer  which  gives  some  account 
of  the 

GATHERING    IN    OF    THE    FRTJITS. 

"  Yesterday  the  Presbyterian  Church  received  into  its 
communion  one  hundred  on  profession  of  faith.  Of  these, 
forty-eight  were  adults,  many  of  them  advanced  in  life, 
many  heads  of  families,  men  as  well  as  women,  and  two  over 
seventy.  Of  the  remaining  fifty-two,  none  were  under  four- 
teen, and  less  than  twenty  under  sixteen.  The  session  of 
the  church  had  determined,  out  of  abundant  caution,  not 
to  receive  at  this  time  any  under  fourteen,  and  of  such,  we 
think,  there  are  at  least  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  savingly 
converted,  and  some  eight  or  ten  adults  wlio,  for  various 
reasons,  did  not  apply  for  admission  at  this  time  ;  and  as 
the  work  still  continues,  I  fully  believe  that  not  less  than 
fifty  will  unite  with  our  church  at  our  next  communion  in 
July. 

' '  The  scene  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  yesterday  was  of 
the  most  solemn  and  impressive  character,  and  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  those  present.  The  whole  lower  floor  of  the 
church  would  scarcely  hold  all  the  communicants  ;  the 
elders  had  to  sit  on  the  pulpit  steps.  Of  the  one  hundred 
admitted,  sixty  were  baptized,  and  by  a  very  marked,  but 
wholly  undesigned  arrangement  of  those  baptized,  the  first 
was  a  venerable-looking  man,  aged  seventy-eight,  with  locks 
as  white  as  snow,  and  the  last  a  gray-headed  man  over 
seventy  ;  the  whole  scene  was  moving  and  melting  in  the 
extreme.  After  partaking  of  the  communion  all  the  com- 
municants bowed  their  heads  for  a  few  moments  in  silent 
prayer  ;  you  would  have  heard  a  pin  drop  ;  not  the  most 
sceptical  could  have  doubted  it.     During  parts  of  the  ser- 


372  THE   HARVEST   AYORK. 

vice  there  was  much  sobbing  and  weeping  among  the  un- 
converted, and  many  could  be  observed  in  vain  trying  to 
stifle  their  convictions  ;  we  all  felt  and  saw  with  our  own 
eyes  the  mighty  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

"  This  revival  has  many  marked  features  :  1.  Deep  feel- 
ing, but  an  absence  of  what  is  ordinarily  termed  excitement. 
3.  A  spirit  of  earnest  prayer  on  the  part  of  Christians,  and 
while  there  was  a  great  deal  of  personal  effort  and  conversa- 
tion with  the  impenitent,  yet  a  deep  feeling  of  humility,  and 
dependence  upon  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  3.  The 
unusually  large  number  of  adult  converts,  and  among  them 
many  intelligent,  active  business  and  professional  men,  and 
several  of  both  sexes  who  had  led  profligate  lives.  In  some 
of  these  cases  there  have  been  extraordinary  manifestations 
of  the  power  of  the  Spirit  in  the  work  of  conversion,  with- 
out any  direct  human  agency,  either  in  preaching,  prayer, 
or  personal  appeals.  4.  Constant  earnest  prayer  by  Chris- 
tians that  the  preaching  of  the  word  might  be  blessed,  and 
as  a  consequence  most  powerful  and  pungent  sermons,  at- 
tended, too,  with  the  happiest  results.  The  churches  of 
other  denominations  shared  equally  in  proportion." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Detroit^Eight  Years'  Prayer  Meeting  —  Ministers  Uniting — 
Geo.  Dufl&eld's  Statement— Ann  Arbor — Open-air  Meeting — 
Dr.  Duffield's  Letter. 

DETROIT. 

At  the  invitation  of  nearly  every  pastor  the 
evangelist  commenced  a  series  of  meetings  in 
Detroit.  For  eight  years  a  band  of  faithful  Chris- 
tians had  met  daily  to  pray  for  a  blessing  to  rest  on 
the  city.  Some  of  the  leading  ministers  were 
among  those  who  cried  to  God  day  after  day  for 
the  outpouring  of  God^ s  Spirit.  On  his  arrival 
Mr.  Hammond  found  the  churches  and  pastors, 
some  twenty  in  number,  harmoniously  united. 
Morning,  afternoon,  and  evening  the  meetings 
were  crowded.  Often  hundreds  were  unable  to 
gain  admission.  The  following  letter,  dated  March 
17th,  1865,  from  Dr.  Duffield,  the  author  of 
*'  Stand  up  for  Jesus,"  gives  a  bird's-eye  view  of 
the  great  work  in  Detroit : 

"  Knowing  the  sad  state  of  things,  how  the  world  had 
got  into  the  Church  and  the  Church  had  gone  to  such  an 


374  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

alarming  extent  into  the  world,  I  felt  concerned  for  Brother 
Hammond,  and  pitied  him  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul, 
when  I  found  that  Detroit  was  to  be  his  field  of  labor,  and 
that  too  during  a  week  when  a  mammoth  fair  was  in  prog- 
ress, with  all  its  side-shows  to  increase  the  tide  of  dissipa- 
tion. 

"  Hearing  that  he  was  to  hold  a  children's  meeting  that 
afternoon  (March  1st)  in  the  '  Old  First '  Presbyterian 
Church,  I  went  to  the  meeting,  though,  I  must  confess,  with 
some  anxiety  as  to  its  success.  The  church  was  crowded 
with  children,  standing  in  the  aisles,  in  front  of  the  pulpit, 
in  the  pulpit,  and  everywhere  that  they  could  find  room  to 
stand.  On  the  invitation  being  extended  to  them  to  remain 
for  conversation,  they  remained  by  the  hundred.  Follow- 
ing the  natural  impulse  of  every  Christian  in  the  house,  I 
found  the  children  immediately  around  me  deeply  convicted 
of  sin,  and  as  earnest  inquirers  after  salvation  as  any  of 
those  who  were  older.  The  test  between  genuine  feeling 
and  mere  sympathy  is  very  simple,  and  very  easily  applied. 
Genuine  feeling  comes  out  in  view  of  truth,  and  where  you 
find  a  germ  of  evangelical  truth  in  the  mind  as  a  basis,  you 
have  good  reason  to  believe  that  it  is  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  If  anything  more  was  needed  to  convince  me  of  the 
fact  that  '  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings  God 
was  about  to  ordain  praise  because  of  the  adversary,'  it  was 
found  in  the  extraordinary  alacrity  of  Christians  to  take 
hold  of  the  work.  Clergymen  and  laymen,  Sunday-school 
teachers  and  others,  seemed  just  as  much  and  as  earnestly 
bent  on  saving  souls  from  death  as  if  it  were  from  shipwreck 
or  some  impending  physical  calamity.  This  feeling  was 
especially  manifest  in  the  evening,  when  after  the  sermon 
the  sight  of  the  *  slain  of  the  Lord  '  and  the  '  groans  of  the 
wounded  '  in  spirit  reminded  me  more  of  the  scene  I  wit- 
nessed in  the  churches  of  Gettysburg  on  the  Tuesday  fol- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  375 

lowing  the  great  battle  than  anything  else  I  could  think  of, 
by  means  of  which  to  illustrate  it.  Alike  on  saint  and  sin- 
ner the  conviction  seemed  to  be  universal,  '  surely  this  is  the 
finger  of  God. ' 

"  The  next  day  the  services  were  h^ld  in  Dr.  Hogartli's 
church,  where  all  the  various  phenomena  attendant  on  other 
revivals  of  religipn  were  more  fully  brought  to  light,  and 
where  the  joy  of  the  pastor,  and  that  of  all  who  were  per- 
mitted to  engage  in  the  delightful  services,  was  the  joy  of 
our  Lord.  While  some  ministers,  like  Dr.  Hogarth  and  the 
venerable  pastor  of  the  Old  First,  have  been  more  actively 
engaged  in  this  work  than  others,  yet  we  have  heard  of  no 
opposition  ;  and  so  suddenly  has  it  come,  that  even  among 
the  wicked  scarcely  a  dog  has  dared  to  move  his  tongue. 

' '  The  great  meeting  thus  far  was  on  Sabbath  evening  in 
Young  Men's  Hall.  Upward  of  five  hundred  were  counted 
of  those  who  rose  after  Mr.  Hammond's  sermon  to  ask  an 
interest  in  the  prayers  of  God's  people.  No  noise,  no  con- 
fusion, but  serious  stillness.  Solemnity,  intense  interest, 
fixed  attention  to  the  Word,  and  frankness  in  conversa- 
tion characterized  the  assembly.  Numerous  soldiers  were 
present,  many  of  them  giving  evidence  that  they  had  been 
converted.  So  many  lingered  for  conversation  that  the  in- 
quiry-meeting could  not  be  closed  until  after  eleven  o'clock. 
Neither  the  great  fair,  nor  the  stormy  weather,  nor  the  ex- 
citement of  the  draft,  nor  the  news  of  Sherman's  and  Sheri- 
dan's victories  have  interrupted  the  steady  progress  and 
triumph  of  the  truth.  As  nearly  as  I  can  get  at  the  truth 
by  a  careful  comparison  of  opinions  on  the  part  of  those 
who  are  best  qualified  to  judge  in  the  premises,  the  number 
of  hopeful  conversions  thus  far  in  connection  with  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's labors  in  Detroit  is  about  one  thousand. 

"  On  Thursday  it  was  my  privilege  to  accompany  Mr.  H. 
to  Ann  Arbor,  where  he  went  more  especially  for  the  sake 


376  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

of  the  students  in  our  State  University.  I  had  my  doubts 
as  to  what  could  be  accomplished  in  a  single  day,  but  they 
were  entirely  removed  by  the  result.  The  children's  meet- 
ing in  the  afternoon  was  one  of  the  most  powerful  meetings 
I  ever  witnessed  in  all  my  life.  At  no  previous  time  did  I 
hear  Mr.  Hammond  speak  as  he  did  then,  and  toward  the 
close  of  his  discourse  I  felt  that  my  only  choice  as  an  im- 
penitent sinner  would  have  been  to  bow  before  the  truth  or 
to  leave  to  the  house.  The  immense  meeting  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  evening  was  characterized  by  similar 
power,  and  the  next  morning  over  two  hundred  seemed  to 
have  found  peace  in  believing.  Both  at  Ann  Arbor  and  in 
Detroit  well-known  young  men,  soldiers,  are  willing  to  rise 
in  the  various  meetings  and  tell  their  short  and  simple  story 
about  how  they  touched  the  hem  of  Christ's  garments  and 
were  healed.  Thus  the  Lord  honors  prayer  and  the  preach- 
ing of  His  truth  and  the  labors  of  His  servants.  Evidently 
He  is  now  '  on  the  giving  hand,'  and  as  giving  does  not  im- 
poverish Him,  nor  withholding  make  Him  rich,  what  is  to 
hinder  this  revival  from,  'becoming  general  all  over  the  country  V 

Speaking  of  the  meeting  at  Ann  Arbor,  Rev. 
Dr.  Hogarth  said  :  '^^  1  never  witnessed  such  a  sud- 
den remarkable  manifestation  of  the  mighty  work- 
ings of  God's  Spirit.  Hundreds  were  at  once 
brought  under  deep  conviction  of  sin.  Loud  weep- 
ing from  young  and  old  was  heard  all  over  the 
church.  The  president  and  professors  of  the  col- 
lege were  among  those  who  conversed  and  prayed 
with  the  anxious." 

A  correspondent  of  the  Amerioa7i  Presbytericm 
gives  additional  facts  : 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  377 

GREAT    OPEN-AIR   MEETDiG. 

"  Last  Sabbath  p.m.,  five  thousand  congregated  in  the 
Campus  Martins  to  listen  to  a  sermon  by  Mr,  Hammond.  It 
was  a  most  interesting  sight  to  behold  such  an  audience  of 
all  classes,  standing  in  breathless  silence  for  an  hour  and  a 
half,  listening  to  the  simple  declaration  of  the  way  of  salva- 
tion through  a  crucified  Redeemer.  Eyes  unused  to  weep 
were  filled  with  tears.  Large  numbers  of  Catholics  were 
among  the  attentive  listeners.  The  majority  of  those  pres- 
ent were  men. 

"  When  Mr.  H.  had  concluded,  he  invited  the  anxious  to 
adjourn  to  the  Baptist  Church  for  an  evening  meeting.  As 
many  had  been  standing  for  near  two  hours  it  was  feared 
this  proposed  meeting  would  prove  a  failure  ;  but  those  who 
had  watched  closely  the  audience  knew  better,  and  were  not 
surprised  to  see  more  flock  to  the  large  Baptist  Church  than 
could  well  crowd  in.     The  sight  there  was  wonderful. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  GriflJth,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  stated  at  the 
Monday  daily  prayer-meeting  that  among  the  men  weeping 
for  their  sins  in  that  inquiry-meeting,  he  found  a  gambler, 
who  had  not  been  in  church  before  for  many  years.  Dr. 
DufReld  said  that  he  believed  a  vast  amount  of  good  was  ac- 
complished by  that  open-air  meeting  ;  that  it  was  as  large 
as  any  political  gathering  he  ever  saw  in  Detroit. 

' '  Mr.  H.  went  almost  immediately  from  that  inquiry-meet- 
ing to  address  a  packed  audience  in  the  Young  Men's  Hall, 
where  probably  twenty-five  hundred  were  gathered.  Dr. 
Dufiield  stated  at  the  daily  prayer-meeting  that  when  Mr. 
H.  had  finished  his  sermon,  and  an  opportunity  was  afford- 
ed for  those  who  wished  the  prayers  of  God's  people  to 
arise,  it  seemed  as  if  three  quai'ters  of  the  audience  were  at 
once  on  their  feet.     It  was  a  most  tender  and  affecting  sight. 

* '  No  one  knows  the  number  of  hopeful  conversions.     We 


378  THE  HARVEST   WOliK. 

have  heard  it  estimated  between  one  thousand  and  twenty- 
five  hundred.  Hundreds  of  children  have  evidently  found 
the  Saviour  who  will  not  likely  be  soon  admitted  to  the 
churches. 

"  In  his  closing  remarks  Sabbath  evening,  Mr.  H.  seemed 
anxious  to  give  God  all  the  glory  for  the  worTc  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  the  city,  and  strove  to  do  all  he  could  to  strength- 
en the  hands  of  the  ministry.  He  stated  that  if  his  labors 
had  a  tendency  to  weaken  the  influence  of  the  stated  minis- 
try, he  would  at  once  abandon  them.  Most  earnest  prayer 
was  offered  by  the  different  ministers  of  Detroit,  that  God 
would  pour  out  His  Holy  Spirit  in  Philadelphia,  to  which 
city  Mr.  H.  was  expecting  to  go." 

Tlie  venerable  Rev.  George  Duffield,  D.D., 
speaking  of  the  work  in  Detroit,  says  : 

"  I  am  reminded  of  the  glorious  revival  scenes  of  1831, 
which  I  witnessed  then,  especially  in  Cumberland  and 
Franklin  counties  in  Pennsylvania,  which  prevailed  all  over 
our  country, 

"  Should  the  Lord  employ  His  dear  servant,  Brother 
Hammond,  in  your  city,  I  hope  the  way  w^ill  be  prepared, 
and  that  my  dear  brethren  Barnes  and  Brainerd,  and  all  the 
ministry  of  your  city,  will  bid  him  God-speed,  and  co- 
operate in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  God  employs  and  owns 
the  simple  j^reaching  of  tlie  great  radical  truths  and/ac^s  of 
the  gospel,  and  makes  them  the  sword  of  His  Spirit.  I 
bless  Him  for  the  manifestations  He  is  making  through  this 
dearly  beloved  brother,  of  the  melting  and  subduing  power 
of  the  simple  story  of  the  cross.  '  Christ  and  Him  cruci- 
fied,' and  faith  in  the  dear  Redeemer,  with  penitence  and 
love,  are  the  themes  presented  and  preached  from  day  to 
day,  in  a  plain  and  affectionate  manner," 


CHAPTER   XYITL 

Philadelphia  —  Dr.  Mears's  Account  —  Dr.  G.  D.  Boardman's 
Conviction  of  the  Work  in  Rochester — Materials  Exhausted 
— "Cannot  Give  up  Dancing"  — Boy's  Letter — Lincoln's 
Funeral — False  Communicants  —  800  in  a  Day  —  Open-air 
Meeting — Bishop  of  London — Passers-by  Ai-rested — Bouquet 
of  Flowers  —  Gambler  Converted — Letters — J.  W.  Mears — 
Dr.  Barnes's  Testimony— Evangelists — Best  Theologians- 
Child's  Library — Matthew  W,  Baldwin — Meetings  at  Acad- 
emy of  Music — Useful  Life — Triumphant  Death. 

March,  1865.  Mr.  Hammond,  at  the  invitation 
of  numerous  pastors,  began  a  series  of  meetings  in 
the  city  of  Brotherly  Love.  J.  W.  Mears,  D.D., 
editor  of  the  Ainericam.  Presbyterian,  thus  writes  of 
the  first  service  in  Philadelphia  : 

''  North  Broad  Street  Church  was  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity,  and  every  square  foot  of  standing  and  sitting 
room,  in  pews,  aisles,  galleries,  front  of  the  pulpit,  pulpit 
stairs,  and  platform  itself  was  occupied.  Mr.  Hammond, 
by  his  earnest  and  affectionate  manner,  his  abundant  *and 
graphic  illustrations,  his  hymns,  his  prayers,  his  questions, 
and  his  frequent  drills  of  the  children  on  verses  of  Scripture 
or  of  hymns,  easily  held  the  attention  of  great  and  small  for 
two  hours.     The  object  of  the  speaker  was,  by  divine  aid, 


380  THE  HAEVEST   WORK 

to  bring  his  young  hearers  at  once  to  a  sense  of  their  sin  in 
not  loving  Jesus,  and  to  persuade  them  to  come,  then,  in 
simple  faith,  and  give  their  hearts  to  the  Saviour  that  very 
hour. 

"After  the  address,  Mr.  Hammond,  with  several  of  the 
pastors  present,  the  Sabbath-school  teachers,  and  other 
Christian  friends,  spoke  with  individuals,  moving  among 
them  as  far  as  the  crowded  state  of  the  assembly  would 
allow. 

."  Mr.  H.  comes  fresh  from  scenes  of  the  deepest  interest 
and  most  extensive  success  in  Detroit  and  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  in  Painesville,  Ohio.  Ministers  of  all  evan- 
gelical denominations  have  cordially  co-operated  with  him 
there,  and  the  cautious  and  judicious  have  recognized  in 
him  a  chosen  instrument  of  God's  gracious  purposes  among 
the  unconverted,  young  and  old. 

"  The  hearts  of  the  youthful  hearers  were  manifestly  and 
deeply  affected.  Many  youths  of  twelve  or  fifteen  years  of 
age  were  among  those  on  Monday  deeply  affected  in  view 
of  the  sin  of  not  having  loved  the  dear  Saviour  ;  and  many 
seemed  calmly  and  intelligently  to  give  themselves,  then  and 
there,  to  the  Lord.  Scarcely  any  left  the  house  while  the 
personal  conversations  were  going  on,  the  whole  audience 
seeming  to  be  transformed  into  a  vast  inquiry-meeting.  Be- 
sides many  Sabbath-school  teachers,  we  noticed,  as  engaged 
actively  in  this  all-important  supplementary  work,  Rev.  Dr. 
Adams,  the  pastor,  Messrs.  Taylor,  Hamner,  Shepherd,  Cul- 
ver, and  Mears  of  our  own  church,  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Henson 
and  Simmons  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Many  groups  of  anx- 
ious ones  remained  long  after  the  audience  generally  had 
disappeared,  and  went  reluctantly  at  the  last.  Yet  there 
was  no  excess,  and  notliing  in  the  slightest  degree  excep- 
tionable in  the  manifestations. 

"  Perhaps  some  will  think  it  a  suspicious  circumstance 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  381 

that  this  show  of  feeling  should  be  so  sudden  ;  but  in  a  cer- 
tain aspect  it  is  far  from  sudden,  having  been  long  and 
ardently  prayed  for  by  many  pastors,  parents,  and  Sabbath- 
school  teachers  in  this  city.  No  answer  to  believing  prayer 
should  be  surprising  ;  it  is  delay  rather  that  should  sur- 
prise, while  the  beginnings  of  the  answer,  such  as  we  have 
seen  in  these  first  meetings,  should  kindle  grateful  joy,  and 
encourage  to  still  higher  measures  of  faith  and  expectation. 

"  On  Tuesday  the  meeting  was  transferred  to  the  Fifth 
Baptist  Church,  which  was  crowded,  many  adults  being  in 
the  audience.  A  large  number  of  ministers  of  various  de- 
nominations were  present,  and  one  of  them,  Rev.  George  D. 
Boardman,  formerly  of  Rochester,  now  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  in  this  city,  introduced  Mr.  Hammond  in  a 
happy  address,  as  one  with  whom  he  had  labored  two  years 
ago  in  Rochester.     He  said  : 

"  *  I  thank  God  that  my  dear  Brother  Hammond  was  ever 
at  Rochester.  I  thank  God  that  he  is  in  Philadelphia  to- 
day. And  I  am  here  to  declare,  with  the  authority  of  per- 
sonal observation,  that  I  heartily  approve  of  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's mode  of  conducting  children's  meetings.  When  he 
goes  along  the  aisles  and  asks  this  one  and  that  one,  "  Do 
YOU  LOVE  Jesus  ?"  he  asks  a  personal,  test,  pivotal  question, 
which  brings  the  person  directly  before  the  face  of  Almighty 
God.  Its  very  simplicity  gives  it  grandeur.  That  simple 
question,  as  Brother  Hammond  puts  it,  has  been  blessed  to 
the  awakening  of  hundreds.  I  speak  what  I  do  know,  and 
testify  what  I  have  seen. '  Mr.  Boardman  proceeded  to  say 
that  some  ninety  persons  were  added  to  his  church  in 
Rochester  as  the  result,  under  God,  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
labors,  seventy  of  these  young  persons.  Recent  intelli- 
gence from  Rochester  is  to  the  effect  that  biat  one  of  the 
whole  number  has  been  disciplined,  and  that  one  for  doc- 
trinal error,  not  for  misconduct. 


382  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  On  Wednesday  the  proportion  of  adults  was  larger  than 
at  any  previous  meeting.  Forty  or  fifty  ministers,  of  almost 
every  evangelical  denomination,  including  Episcopalians 
and  O.  S.  Presbyterians,  were  in  the  house,  most  of  them 
on  or  near  the  platform.  The  passage  read  was  the  Philip- 
pian  jailer,  and  the  text  for  the  address  was,  '  Believe  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.'  This  was 
drilled  into  the  children's  memory  until  they  all  repeated  it 
in  most  pleasing  and  general  concert. 

"The  body  of  the  children  and  youth  attending  the 
meetings  regularly  seemed  to  have  found  the  Saviour. 
Those  indulging  a  hope  began  to  gather  in  prayer-meetings 
of  their  own,  or  were  brought  to  the  pulpit  for  special  in- 
struction, and  Mr.  Hammond  began  to  pay  regard  in  his 
addresses  to  their  condition. 

"  On  Thursday  the  North  Broad  Street  Church  was  again 
filled.  Here  the  evidences  that  a  very  extensive  work  of 
grace  had  teen  finished  in  many  hearts  was  very  clear.  Over 
a  hundred  children  held  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  lecture- 
room,  the  great  body  of  whom  believed  that  they  had 
found  the  Saviour  ;  many  others  in  the  same  state  of  mind 
being  in  the  upper  part  of  the  house  or  having  left  for 
home." 

The  correspondent  of  tlie  Sundm/- School  Times 
says  : 

"  The  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  connection  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Hammond's  labors,  continues  with  increasing  interest. 
Last  Sabbath  a  series  of  meetings  was  commenced  in  the 
Tabernacle  Baptist  Church  on  Chestnut  Street.  Sabbath- 
school  teachers  have  joined  heartily  in  the  work,  and  tes- 
tify that  they  have  secured  a  great  blessing  to  their  own 
souls.  Teachers  from  quite  a  distance  have  brought  their 
classes  with  them,  that  they  might  share  in  the  blessing. 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  383 

"  A  young  lady,  when  asked  by  a  minister,  a  few  days 
since,  if  she  wished  to  become  a  Christian,  at  once  an- 
swered, '  No  ;  I  am  not  willing  to  give  up  the  opera  and 
dancing.  I  know  I'll  be  lost,  but  I  don't  care.'  The 
words  of  the  minister  seemed  to  have  no  efifect  upon  her  ; 
but  she  was  present  the  next  day,  and  asked  his  forgiveness 
for  her  rudeness.  She  confessed  her  anxiety  for  her  salva- 
tion, and  asked  him  to  pray  with  her.  She  is  now  rejoic- 
ing in  the  Saviour's  love. 

"  Many  letters  have  been  received  by  Mr.  Hammond. 
Some  of  these  letters  are  read  by  Mr.  H.,  and  they  add 
much  interest  to  the  meetings,  A  little  boy,  twelve  years 
old,  writes  : 

"  '  I  came  to  the  meeting  on  Sunday,  and  I  did  not  like 
it  at  all.  I  came  again  on  Wednesday,  and  a  lady  talked 
to  me.  I  felt  I  was  a  great  sinner  in  not  loving  the  dear 
Jesus,  and  I  prayed  to  Him  to  give  me  a  new  heart ;  and 
now  I  think  I  have  found  the  dear  Jesus  ;  I  feel  a  great  deal 
happier  than  I  ever  did  before.  And  now  I  go  around 
among  the  boys  and  girls  that  have  not  found  Jesus,  and  I 
talk  to  them  about  how  He  came  down  from  His  home  in 
heaven  to  die  upon  the  cross  for  them,  and  pray  to  Jesus  to 
give  them  a  new  heart. ' 

*'  On  Wednesday  of  last  week,  the  day  on  which  the 
churches  were  open  for  the  President's  funeral  services,  the 
daily  meeting  at  Tabernacle  Baptist  Church  on  Chestnut 
Street  was  more  densely  crowded  than  we  had  before  seen 
it.  Large  numbers  went  away,  unable  to  find  standing 
room,  and  a  blessed  work  was  carried  on. 

"  Calvary  Church  was  well  filled  even  on  Sunday,  the 
solemn  day  on  which  the  remains  of  the  beloved  Lincoln 
were  lying  in  the  Cradle  of  Liberty,  and  when  thousands 
upon  thousands,  old  and  young,  were  pressing  to  take  a 
last  look  at  the  noble  dead. 


384  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  At  one  of  these  meetings  an  influential  gentleman  stated 
that  he  had  been  for  ten  years  a  member  of  an  evangelical 
church  in  this  city  ;  but  it  was  not  until  Mr.  Hammond  met 
him  and  asked  him  if  he  loved  Jesus  that  he  felt  himself  to 
be  a  sinner.  His  answer  was,  '  Yes,  I  profess  to  love  Him. ' 
Mr.  H.  replied,  '  How  can  you  be  a  Christian  and  sit  still 
in  this  inquiry-meeting,  when  just  here  near  you  sits  a  lady 
weeping  for  her  sins  ? '  This  question  greatly  troubled 
him,  and  prevented  his  sleeping  that  night.  But  at  last  he 
was  enabled  by  God's  Spirit  to  come  as  a  lost  sinner  to 
Jesus,  and  to  understand  fully  the  meaning  of  that  precious 
verse  in  Isaiah  26  :  3,  '  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because  he  trusteth  in  thee.' 

"  This  gentleman  is  now  a  constant  worker  at  the  daily 
inquiry-meetings,  helping  to  point  anxious  ones,  young  and 
old,  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  In  his  factory,  where  many 
young  persons  are  employed,  they  are  constantly  singing  the 
sweet  hymns  learned  in  the  meetings. 

"  A  glorious  work  has  progressed  among  the  orphans  in 
the  asylum  on  Eighteenth  Street.  The  matron  testifies 
that  a  wonderful  change  has  come  over  the  children  ;  that 
no  one  can  attend  their  daily  prayer-meetings  and  listen  to 
their  simple,  artless  prayers  without  being  convinced  of 
their  saving  faith  in  Christ. 

"  Last  Sabbath  another  meeting  of  remarkable  interest 
was  held  in  the  House  of  Refuge.  Hundreds  of  the  youth 
declared  their  hope  that  they  had  found  Christ,  though 
warned  faithfully  against  self-deception. 

"  Mr.  Hammond  is  to  preach  in  the  Academy  of  Music  on 
Wednesday  evening." 

Dr.  Mears  says  : 

EIGHT    HUNDRED    IN    A   DAY. 
"  It  has  been  our  unspeakable  privilege  to  witness,  on  a 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  385 

single  Sabbath  and  under  the  use  of  the  simple  truth  of  the 
love  of  Jesus  for  sinning  and  perishing  men,  as  many  as 
eight  hundred  persons  under  conviction  of  sin,  seeking  the 
Saviour,  or  rejoicing  in  hope.  Half  of  the  number  were 
the  children  and  youth  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  to  whom 
Mr.  Hammond  preached  in  the  morning  ;  and  the  other 
half  were  in  the  Tabernacle  Baptist  Church,  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  ssme  day,  comprising  persons  of  all  ages.  The 
phenomenon  was  as  delightful  as  it  was  marvellous  and  un- 
precedented in  the  religious  history  of  our  city  for  a  genera- 
tion past.  Let  us  be  thankful,  and  remember  the  encour- 
aging words  of  the  Psalmist  :  '  The  Lord  hath  been  mind- 
ful of  us  ;  He  will  bless  us. ' 

"  I  send  a  word  of  encouragement  from  the  th  Ward 

Grammar  School.  The  teacher  says  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  children's  meetings  there  has  been  such  an  im- 
provement in  the  behavior  of  her  scholars  that  she  is  will- 
ing to  give  one  day  in  a  week  for  them  to  attend  the  meet- 


OPEN-AIR    PREACHING. 

By  Dr.  J.  W.  Mears,  editor  of  the  American 

Presbyterian : 

"  Philadelphia  owes  to  Mr.  Hammond  the  revival  of  the 
excellent  custom  of  open-air  preacliiug,  so  important  as  a 
means  of  reaching  the  irreligious  masses.  For  three  Sab- 
baths past  audiences  numbering  from  fifteen  hundred  to 
three  thousand  have  gathered  on  the  open  lot,  south  of  the 
Academy  of  Music,  where  Rev.  Dr.  Irvine,  of  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  Mr.  Calkins,  of  Calvary  Church, 
and  Mr.  Hammond  have  delivered  simple  and  appropriate 
addresses.  The  children  who  have  been  attending  Mr. 
Hammond's  meetings  form  an  excellent  choir. 


386  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

"  Open-air  preaching  is  no  novelty  in  this  city,  but  for 
several  years  this  excellent  practice  has  been  intermitted. 
Nor  did  there  seem  to  be  any  prospect  of  renewing  it  until 
Mr.  Hammond's  visit.  We  trust  systematic  arrangements 
will  be  made,  by  which  every  great  district  in  the  city  may 
be  reached,  and  all  evangelical  denominations  enlisted  in 
the  work.  Why  should  the  best  preaching  talent  and  the 
highest  pulpit  dignity  shrink  from  work  for  which  Christ 
Himself  set  the  example  ?  Why  should  the  Episcopal 
Bishop  of  Pennsylvania,  or  the  clergy  in  general  of  that 
Church  in  this  city,  hesitate  to  walk  in  the  footsteps  of  the 
Bishop  of  London,  who,  in  the  most  unassuming  and  apos- 
tolic manner,  with  no  apparatus  but  his  Bible,  proclaims 
the  gospel  in  any  and  every  favorable  place  of  concourse  to 
the  perishing  crowds  in  that  great  city  ? 

"  One  feature  of  his  work  in  the  open  air  deserves  to  be 
borne  in  mind.  It  is,  in  fact,  part  of  his  entire  system, 
and  a  principal  part  of  it — namely,  to  have  an  eye  to  im- 
mediate results  and  to  utilize  at  once  the  impressions  that 
have  been  made  by  an  inquiry-meeting  immediately  fol- 
lowing the  preaching.  Hence  it  is  part  of  his  plan  to  hold 
his  open-air  meetings  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  some 
church,  where  such  an  inquiry-meeting  may  be  announced 
to  be  held.  We  regard  this  as  a  decided  improvement 
upon  the  existing  methods,  under  which  there  is  great 
danger  that  impressions  may  be  dissipated,  and  the  seed 
sown  with  much  labor  be  carried  away  by  the  fowls  of  the 
air.  The  crowds  on  the  Broad  Street  lot  have  been  invited 
for  conversation  to  Calvary  Church  by  Mr.  Calkins,  and 
very  large  gatherings,  with  most  marked  and  powerful  in- 
dications of  the  Holy  Spirit's  presence  in  that  church,  have 
been  the  result.  Calvary  has  never  before  witnessed  such 
crowded  audiences  and  such  interesting,  such  melting, 
such  inspiring  scenes  as  have  followed  these  open-air  meet- 


OF  THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  387 

ings  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Hammond,  night  after 
night,  for  the  past  two  weeks.  Nor  has  such  a  precious 
season  of  early  morning  prayer  and  worship  ever  been  en- 
joyed within  its  walls,  as  during  the  same  period  from  day 
to  day. 

"  On  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  meetings  were  held  in  the 
Tabernacle  Baptist  Church.  An  incident  of  marked  inter- 
est occurred  in  connection  with  the  meeting  of  Wednes- 
day. This  was  the  day  of  the  mournful  funeral  ceremony 
in  Washington,  and  the  church  was  densely  crowded  ;  num- 
bers stood  in  the  doorways  and  upon  the  steps,  and  not  a 
few  passers-by  stopped  in  the  streets  to  listen  to  the  sweet 
songs  of  the  children.  Some  one  closed  the  door  of  the 
church,  but  Mr.  Hammond  requested  that  they  might  re- 
main open.  *  Some  poor  sinners,'  he  remarked,  '  might  be 
reached  by  what  he  hears  through  the  open  doors,  and 
brought  to  Christ. '  It  was  so  ordered  that  a  young  man 
who  was  passing  by  on  the  other  side  of  the  street  was  at- 
tracted by  the  singing,  came  over  and  entered  the  church, 
and  remained  to  the  inquiry-meeting,  having  been  deeply 
impressed  by  what  ho  had  heard.  Subsequently  he  came 
into  one  of  the  churches  and  related  his  experience,  traced 
his  first  impressions  to  what  he  had  heard  upon  the  side- 
walk, and  declared  that  as  the  result  he  believed  he  had 
found  Jesus. 

THE    BOUQUET    OF    FLOWERS. 

"  In  one  of  the  meetings  Mr.  Hammond,  while  speaking 
to  the  children  and  youth  about  giving  their  young  hearts 
to  the  Saviour,  asked  what  they  would  think  were  some  one 
to  offer  them  an  old  withered  bouquet  of  flowers.  They  all 
agreed  they  would  feel  insulted.  '  And  yet, '  he  added, 
*  some  of  you  are  thinking  of  giving  your  hearts  to  the  Sav- 
iour when  you  are  older.     Are  you  not  afraid  that  Jesus 


388  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

will  spurn  your  offer  ?     Will  you  not  rather  come  and  give 
your  young  affections  to  Him  just  now  ? ' 

"At  the  close  of  the  services  Mr.  Hammond  requested 
only  those  who  felt  they  had  truly  given  their  hearts  to  the 
Saviour  to  come  upon  and  around  the  large  platform  pulpit, 
in  order  that  some  one  of  the  ministers  present  might  instruct 
them,  and  also  that  it  might  be  more  convenient  to  move 
among  the  anxious  who  remained  in  their  seats  for  conver- 
sation and  prayer.  Between  two  and  three  hundred  at  once 
flocked  from  all  parts  of  the  house.  While  standing  in 
and  around  the  large  circular  platform,  their  appearance, 
after  what  had  been  said,  reminded  us  of  a  large  bouquet  of 
fresh  young  flowers,  all  given  to  Jesus.  All  in  the  house 
seemed  impressed  with  the  thought.  While  these  joyous 
children  and  youth  were  singing  '  I  love  Jesus, '  other  hun- 
dreds all  over  the  house  were  bathed  in  tears. 

GREAT   MEETmG    IN    THE    ACADEMY    OF    MUSIC. 

"  It  is  now  six  weeks  since  Mr.  Hammond  commenced 
his  daily  Union  meetings,  and  still  the  Holy  Spirit  con- 
tinues to  bless  the  efforts  made  for  the  salvation  of  the 
perishing.  On  Wednesday  of  last  week  a  grand  audience 
assembled  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  to  listen  to  a  sermon 
to  adults  from  Mr.  Hammond.  Rev.  Mr.  Calkins,  of  Cal- 
vary Church,  and  Dr.  Robert  Irvine,  of  Westminster 
Church,  conducted  the  opening  services.  M.  W.  Baldwin, 
Esq.,  spoke  warmly  in  favor  of  such  efforts  as  these  to  reach 
the  neglected  masses.  He  stated  that  Mr.  Hammond 
would  conduct  another  open-air  meeting.  Sabbath  p.m.  It 
was  worth  going  a  long  way  to  listen  to  the  singing  of  that 
audience.  We  heard  a  lady,  who  used  to  be  fond  of  the 
operas,  say  that  she  never  before  had  her  whole  soul  so 
much  moved  with  all  the  splendid  performances  which  she 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  389 

had  listened  to  in  the  Academy  of  Music.  What  music  is 
there  like  that  which  swells  up  from  hundreds  of  persons 
rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  their  first  espousals  ?  We  attended 
some  of  those  great  political  gatherings  in  the  Academy  of 
Music  last  fall,  when  the  hearts  of  all  were  deeply  moved, 
but  never  did  we  see  an  audience  there  more  fixed  in  their 
attention.  Nothing  but  the  Holy  Spirit  could  have  thus 
riveted  the  truth  upon  so  many  hearts. 

"  The  fact  that  about  five  hundred  rose  for  the  prayers  of 
God's  people  in  one  meeting  shows  the  great  power  of  these 
meetings.  Such  a  solemn  scene  was  never  before  witnessed 
in  that  gay  hall,  where  congregated  the  votaries  of  fashion 
and  pleasure.  The  meeting  demonstrated  that  tlie  masses 
of  our  city,  who  seldom  attend  the  house  of  God,  can 
even  on  a  week  night  be  brought  out  to  hear  the  simple 
gospel,  if  only  the  proper  means  be  used  to  enlist  their  in- 
terest. 

*'  Last  Sabbath  an  audience  estimated  at  three  thousand 
assembled  again  in  the  vacant  lot  near  the  Academy  of 
Music  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  Rev.  Dr. 
Irvine,  of  the  Westminster  Church,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Calkins,  of 
Calvary  Church,  conducted  the  opening  exercises,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Hammond  followed  with  a  sermon  on  Tim.  1  :  15  : 
*  This  is  a  faithful  saying  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners.' 

"  It  is  safe  to  say  that  almost  hundreds  were  in  tears. 
The  Spirit  of  God  was  most  manifestly  present.  Gray- 
headed  men  were  melted  by  the  simple  gospel  truth. 

"  As  one  of  the  ministers  came  down  from  the  stand, 
rather  a  hard-looking  man  met  him,  saying  :  '  I  am  a  sports- 
man. I  have  been  out  with  my  gun  all  day — came  here 
from  curiosity,  and  have  been  weeping  the  whole  time. 
Now  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ? '  His  coat  was  still  wet 
with  tears. ' ' 


390  THE  HARVEST   WORK 


THE    GAMBLER. 

"  An  interesting  incident  took  place  at  the  meeting,  il- 
lustrating the  permanence  of  the  work  wrought  through 
Mr,  Hammond's  instrumentality,  even  in  cases  which  might 
be  considered  unpromising.  At  one  of  the  open-air  meet- 
ings held  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  a  year  ago,  a  professional 
GAMBLER,  proprietor  of  a  gambling  saloon,  came  with  the 
express  purpose  of  scoffing  at  the  meeting.  He  was  arrest- 
ed by  the  Holy  Spirit,  remained  at  the  inquiiy-meeting,  and 
the  next  day  sold  out  all  the  tools  of  his  infamous  trade. 
Subsequently  he  made  a  profession  of  religion  and  joined 
Rev.  Dr.  Fish's  church.  There  were,  as  usual  in  such  cases, 
abundant  predictions  that  lie  would  not  hold  out.  But  at 
this  meeting  he  made  his  appearance,  as  a  wounded  soldier, 
with  his  right  arm  permanently  disabled  in  a  sling.  He 
was  an  inmate  of  Chestnut  Hill  Hospital,  where  he  had  seen 
the  notices  of  the  meetings  in  the  papers  ;  and  with  diffi- 
culty obtaining  a  furlough,  had  come  ten  miles,  out  of  per- 
sonal regard  to  Mr.  H.  and  from  interest  in  the  work,  to 
the  Buttonwood  Street  Church.  Here  he  was  induced  to 
come  forward  and  tell  his  story,  which  he  did  in  a  simple 
and  impressive  manner.  The  spectacle  of  this  rescued  man, 
at  once  a  soldier  of  the  cross  and  a  sufferer  for  life  for  the 
flag  of  his  country,  was  in  a  high  degree  touching  ;  many 
heard  it  with  tears. 

"  At  this  meeting  the  Spirit  of  God  was  present  with 
great  power,  and  at  times  the  whole  audience  seemed  melt- 
ed ;  and  yet,  as  is  often  the  case  in  the  first  meeting,  Chris- 
tians were  scarcely  prepared  for  the  work,  and,  as  a  conse- 
quence, many  were  suffered  to  go  away  who  would  doubt- 
less have  gladly  remained  if  they  had  been  spoken  to  in 
time.  At  the  meetings  of  the  two  following  days  this  diffi- 
culty entirely  disappeared,  and  nearly  the  whole  audience 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  391 

remained  for  prayer  and  conversation.  Already  the  pastor 
speaks  of  the  delightful  results  of  these  three  meetings  in 
the  conversion  of  the  young  of  his  flock  and  in  the  general 
quickening  of  his  people. 

"  On  Saturday  afternoon  a  farewell  meeting  was  held  in 
North  Broad  Street  Church.  It  was  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting occasions  we  have  ever  witnessed.  There  were  no 
less  than  two  hundred  and  fourteen  letters  from  those  who 
felt  that  they  had  found  Jesus  in  these  meetings.  We  give 
one  or  two  of  them.     One  says  : 

"  '  I  went  to  your  meeting  on  Friday  for  fun.  I  came 
home  after  the  meeting  was  over,  and  I  felt  that  I  was  a 
great  sinner.  I  stayed  to  the  inquiry-meeting,  and  Mr.  Tay- 
lor came  and  spoke  to  me.  He  asked  me  if  I  loved  Jesus. 
I  told  him  that  I  did  not.  Yesterday  afternoon  there  was  a 
little  boy  came  and  spoke  to  me,  and  that  went  to  the  very 
depth  of  my  heart.  I  can  now  say,  for  the  first  time  in  my 
life,  I  am  happy.  I  felt  a  great  change.  Oh,  who  will  not 
come  to  such  a  dear  and  most  precious  Saviour  !  Now  I 
can  sing  "  Jesus  is  mine."  I  love  to  pray  and  read  my 
Bible  as  I  never  did  before.  Oh,  if  only  one  or  two  of  my 
friends  would  come  to  that  dear  Jesus,  I  would  feel  so 
happy  !  Oh,  do  pray  for  my  dear  mother,  that  she  may  find 
Jesus,  and  my  two  brothers,  that  they  may  not  go  on 
another  day  in  their  sins  !^ 

"  Another  writes  : 

"  '  I  am  fifteen  years  old,  and  I  want  to  tell  you  how  I 
found  Jesus  On  Monday  I  went  to  the  meeting  at  the 
corner  of  Broad  and  Green  streets  on  purpose  to  make  fun. 
I  made  fun  of  everybody  and  everything  all  that  afternoon, 
and  thought  everybody  was  a  fool  for  believing  such  stuff. 
On  Tuesday  I  went  to  Mr.  Shepherd's  for  the  same  pur- 
pose ;  but  soon  after  I  got  there  I  felt  what  a  great  sinner  I 
was,  and  I  could  not  make  any  more  fun  that  day.    After  you 


392  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

were  done  preaching  a  little  girl  came  and  spoke  to  me,  and 
her  words  went  to  my  heart,  and  I  know  now  that  I  have 
''found  a  Friend,  Jesus  is  mine."  I  used  to  think  I  was 
happy,  but  now  I  find  that  I  never  was  happy  before. 
These  meetings  are  so  precious  that  all  the  time  you  are  in 
the  city  you  will  see  me  where  you  are.  If  you  were  to  go 
to  Germantown,  I  believe  I  would  follow  you.  I  do  so  like 
the  inquiry-meetings  ;  I  like  them  better  than  the  preaching, 
because  I  can  tell  the  boys  how  I  love  Jesus,  and  point  them 
to  Christ,  who  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  to  save  all  sin- 
ners. I  wish  everybody  could  sing,  "  Now  I  have  found  a 
Friend,  Jesus  is  mine." 

"  '  P.  S. — I  forgot  to  say  that  now  I  find  that  I  was  the 
fool  for  not  coming  to  Jesus  before.' 

"  Still  another  : 

' '  '  When  I  first  came  to  your  meeting  I  did  not  care  much 
about  finding  the  Saviour.  Of  course  I  cried  as  I  saio  those 
a/round  me  doing ;  hut  that  was  not  coming  to  Jesus  ;  I  found 
crying  did  no  good.  I  got  my  mother  to  write  me  a  note  to 
get  out  early  from  school  on  Monday  afternoon,  and  I  came 
to  your  meeting  ;  but  the  next  morning,  when  I  met  one  of 
my  little  companions  at  school,  I  told  her  how  the  people 
went  around  asking  children  if  they  loved  Jesus,  and  Satur- 
day, when  I  came  away,  I  felt  very  much  impressed,  and 
that  night  I  prayed  that  my  heart  might  be  clothed  in  right- 
eousness. I  think  God  heard  my  prayer.  I  felt  like  a  new 
person.  I  trembled  all  over,  but  I  was  happy.  I  wanted 
to  tell  somebody.  So  I  woke  my  sister  and  told  her  ;  but  I 
did  not  want  to  tell  my  mother  until  I  was  sure  my  sins 
were  all  forgiven  me  ;  but  when  I  did  tell  her  she  said  noth- 
ing could  be  so  precious  to  her  as  to  know  that  I  had  found 
the  Saviour.  Will  you  pray  for  me  that  I  may  always  cling 
to  the  Saviour,  and  look  to  Him  for  everything,  and  ask  my 
little  friends  to  pray  for  me  too,  and  pray  for  my  sister  too  ? 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  393 

I  feel  like  singing  all  the  time  now,  since  I  have  found 
Jesus.  I  am  so  happy.  I  love  these  meetings.  I  love  all 
those  who  have  found  Jesus,  but  I  love  Him  better  than 
anybody.     From  your  little  friend,  thirteen  years  old.'  " 

EARNEST   WORKER. 

One  of  the  most  earnest  workers  in  the  meetings 
in  Philadelphia,  Sunday-school  superintendent  in 
Dr.  Marsh's  church  and  afterward  Vice-President 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  was  Gr. 
W.  Mears,  Esq. ,  who  made  personal  sacrifices  to  be 
present  at  the  different  services.  It  was  largely- 
through  his  efforts  and  those  of  his  brother,  Dr.  J. 
W.  Mears,  editor  of  the  American  PresbyUrian^ 
that  the  meetings  were  inaugurated.  He  afterward 
labored  with  Mr.  Hammond  in  London,  England, 
and  wrote  accounts  of  the  great  work  there  to  Amer- 
ican papers.  Speaking  of  the  work  in  Philadelphia, 
he  says  : 

"  Last  Sabbath  afternoon  the  Tabernacle  Baptist  Church, 
Chestnut  Street,  above  Eighteenth,  was  crowded  with  lis- 
teners, young  and  old,  filling  galleries,  aisles,  pulpit,  and 
platform.  It  was  a  precious  meeting.  More  than  two  hun- 
dred remained  at  the  inquiry-meeting,  all  anxious  for  salva- 
tion, and  many  weeping  bitterly. 

"  Those  ministers  and  laymen  who  have  labored  with  Mr. 
Hammond  in  the  inquiry-meetings  have  been  greatly  blessed 
in  their  own  souls.  The  ministers  are  of  various  evangeli- 
cal denominations,  and  among  the  laymen  may  be  seen  men 
of  high  standing  in  business  circles,  all  lending  a  hand  in 
the  good  work.  * ' 


394  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

G.  W.  Mears,  referring  to  his  daughter,  who  was 
converted  when  a  child  in  Mr.  Hammond's  meet- 
ings in  Philadelphia,  says  : 

'  *  I  have  been  looking  over  our  church  register  to 
see  who  joined  after  Mr.  Hammond's  services  in  the 
church  some  eighteen  years  ago — I  have  been  able 
to  trace  them  nearly  all  good  Christians  to-day — a 
number  of  them  who  were  then  girls  of  fifteen  or 
sixteen  years  are  now  mothers  of  families,  here  and 
in  other  cities  and  towns.  Not  one  that  I  know  of 
went  back  into  the  world. ' ' 

The  year  Lillie  united  with  the  church — in  1865, 
we  spent  the  summer  five  miles  from  the  city. 
With  some  assistance  we  got  up  a  Sunday-school  in 
an  old  school-house  standing  by  the  roadside  in  a 
grove  of  trees.  Lillie,  then  a  very  young  Christian, 
visited  all  the  houses  of  the  people  and  filled  the 
school-house  up  to  the  brim.  The  infant  class  had 
to  be  marshalled  under  the  trees  as  they  made  too 
much  noise  reciting  together  inside.  Lillie  was 
greatly  interested  in  the  scholars  she  had  so  success- 
fully gathered  and  took  great  delight  in  their 
classes  all  that  fall,  till  we  returned  to  Philadelphia. 
Thus  began  her  young  Christian  life  ;  how  she 
worked  on  till  its  close  I  have  told  you. 

Dr.  B.  Griffeth,  Secretary  of  the  American  Bap- 
tist Publication  Society  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
work.  He  at  that  time  commenced  a  publication 
of  what  he  has  called  ^^  Hammond's  Library,"   a 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  396 

series  of  books  for  children,  intended  to  lead  them 
to  Christ,  and  to  assist  them  in  leading  Christian 
lives.  All  of  these  books  have  since  been  published 
in  England ;  some  of  them  translated  into  the 
Italian,  French,  Norwegian,  and  other  languages. 
These  books  have  been  used  of  God  in  leading 
many  to  Christ. 

MATTHEW    W.     BALDWIN. 

During  Mr.  Hammond's  stay  of  ten  weeks  in 
Philadelphia  he  was  the  guest  of  Matthew  W.  Bald- 
win, whose  beautiful  conservatory  of  flowers  is 
known  to  all  frequenters  of  Chestnut  Street.  Mr. 
Baldwin  paid  all  the  expenses  of  the  meetings  in 
the  Academy  of  Music,  the  rental  of  which,  for  each 
night,  was  $175.  This  builder  of  two  locomotives 
a  week,  also  found  time  and  money  to  hidld 
churches  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  When 
he  was  a  little  boy  he  was  converted  in  one  of  Dr. 
GriEen's  meetings  in  Newark,  N.  J.  He  stated 
that  the  scenes  he  then  witnessed  were  similar  to 
those  seen  in  Philadelphia  in  this  work  of  God's 
Spirit. 

CALVARY    CHURCH, 

At  a  meeting  in  the  above  church  the  following 
words  were  used  by  Mr.  M.  W.  Baldwin  :  ''  How 
much  has  this  church  to  be  thankful  for  !  Nearly 
forty  expect  to  join  us   to-morrow  at  the  Lord's 


396  THE   HARVEST   WORK. 

table,  besides  others  believed  to  be  converted,  who 
go  to  other  churches.  If  one  soul  is  worth  more 
than  all  the  world,  what  are  forty  worth  ?  Who 
can  calculate  the  sum  V '  He  also  took  occasion  to 
thank  the  brethren  from  other  churches,  who  had 
assisted  in  these  meetings,  and  who  had  encouraged 
us  by  their  presence  and  counsel.  It  was  stated  in 
the  American  Preshyteria/n,  that  probably,  at  that 
time,  between  two  and  three  thousand  children  and 
adults  had  been  hopefully  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
accept  Christ  as  their  only  hope  of  heaven  during 
those  union  meetings. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Binghamton — No  Opposition — Christian  Mother  and  Children 
— Elmira— Infidel  Soldier — Billiard-player — T.  K.  Beecher's 
letter — Female  College — Towanda— Mode  of  Preaching — 
Athens— Corning — The  Prophet — Prejudice— Victory. 

In  the  fall  of  1865  the  Evangelist,  at  the  request 
of  Dr.  Boardman  and  the  other  pastors,  held  a  four 
weeks'  meeting  in  Binghamton,  IST.  Y.  All  the 
churches  united,  and  the  work  rapidly  spread 
throughout  the  place  and  the  surrounding  towns. 
"We  give  a  few  quotations  containing  facts  and  in- 
cidents concerning  the  work.  Says  a  correspondent 
pi  the  Preshyterian  : 

*'  The  city  of  Syracuse  has  been  repeatedly  mentioned  in 
the  morning  prayer-meetings,  that  the  Spirit  of  God  might 
visit  it.  One  Saturday  afternoon,  at  a  children's  meeting, 
as  a  minister  was  taking  his  leave,  he  asked  the  little  ones 
to  pray  for  the  children  of  Syracuse,  and  as  many  as  would 
do  so  were  requested  to  hold  up  their  hands.  About  two 
hundred  hands  went  up  instantly.  On  the  following  Mon- 
day morning  a  note  was  read  in  the  prayer-meeting  fiom  a 
mother  whose  little  girl  had  said  to  her  after  family  wor- 
ship, '  Mamma,  you  forgot  to  pray  for  the  children  of  Syra- 


398  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

"  Mr.  Hammond  came  to  Binghamton  three  weeks  ago, 
and  held  his  first  service  in  the  Presbyterian  church  on  Sab- 
bath afternoon,  October  23d.  The  meetings  for  prayer 
have  been  the  most  delightful  and  encouraging  feature  of 
the  revival.  They  increased  in  numbers  so  that  the  place 
of  meeting  was  changed  from  a  lecture-room  to  one  of  the 
Methodist  churches,  which  is  now  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  Rev.  Dr.  Bristol,  one  of  our  pastors,  remarked 
one  morning  in  the  meeting,  that  in  all  his  experience  he 
had  never  known  such  evidences  of  the  deep  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit — such  unity  among  Christians,  and,  what  is 
more,  no  opposition  from  any  quarter.  He  said  he  had  yet 
to  hear  the  first  word  against  these  meetings,  or  the  least 
fault-finding  in  regard  to  them.  All,  even  worldly  persons, 
are  forced  to  acknowledge  that  it  is  of  God.  This  is  very 
strong  testimony  from  one  who  has  had  extensive  experience 
in  revivals." 

A  Christian  mother  says  : 

"  '  Work  and  pray,  fainting  never  ;  for  God's  due  time 
will  come. ' 

"  We  believed  it,  and  were  looking  for  it.  We  were  as 
those  who  watch  for  the  morning.  But  not  like  the  morn- 
ing did  he  come  ;  suddenly  in  the  temple  he  revealed  him- 
self, and  then  came  the  harvest  work.  First  he  gathered 
the  little  children — and  it  is  believed  that  over  two  hun- 
dred of  them  gave  their  hearts  to  Jesus  while  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  here. 

*'A  Christian  mother  who  had  sowed  the  seed  prayer- 
fully and  in  faith  in  her  children's  hearts,  was  not  quite 
satisfied  with  the  evidence  the  oldest  gave  of  entire  surren- 
der to  Him,  and  went  to  her  closet  as  soon  as  she  heard  of 
Mr.  Hammond's  coming,  and  asked  God  to  lead  the  child 
to  Himself,  during  that  first  week  of  the  meetings  for  chil- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  399 

dren.  It  was  the  first  time  she  had  ever  been  led  to  ask 
Him  definitely  as  to  the  time.  As  she  prayed,  Christ  said 
to  her,  '  Believe  ye  that  I  am  able  to  do  it  ?  '  And  her 
heart  replied,  '  Yea,  Lord  ;  thou  knowest  that  I  believe.' 
And  she  heard  His  gracious  answer,  '  According  to  your 
faith  be  it  unto  you. '  The  mother  rested  on  this  sure  word 
of  promise  until  the  third  day,  when  her  little  girl  came 
home  from  the  meeting,  crying, 

*'  '  Mamma,  I've  got  a  new  heart,  and  I've  given  myself 
to  Jesus,  to  belong  to  Him  forever  !  ' 

"  After  two  months'  jealous  watchfulness,  that  mother 
confesses  her  entire,  satisfied  confidence  in  that  child's  con- 
version. 

"  A  Sunday-school  teacher  with  a  class  of  six  pupils,  ex- 
amined them  closely,  at  the  termination  of  the  meetings  ; 
and  five  of  those  boys  could  tell  the  very  time  when  they 
came  to  Jesus  and  received  a  new  heart ;  their  little  school- 
fellows giving  unanimous  testimony  to  their  newness  of  life. 
In  the  Sunday-schools  and  day-schools  a  very  large  majority 
profess  to  have  found  the  Saviour.     A  doubter  grumbled, 

"  '  Why,  you  can't  meet  a  child,  but  he  tells  you  he  loves 
Jesus.' 

"  Thank  God  that  it  is  so  !  I  believe  they  do  love  Him, 
and  if  they  are  inconsistent,  are  they  more  so  than  children 
of  larger  growth  ?  I  believe  that  these  little  ones  have  given 
themselves  to  Him,  and  that  if  they  wander  away,  it  will 
be  in  great  measure  the  fault  of  their  minister,  parents  and 
teachers,  who  fail  to  fulfil  Christ's  trust  to  them,  '  Feed  my 
lambs. '  If  Christ  receives  them,  should  not  we  ?  He  says, 
'  Suffer  them  to  come. '     Shall  we  forbid  it  and  be  guiltless  ? 

"  There  has  been  much  interest  among  the  older  classes, 
and  many  have  given  themselves  to  Christ.  God  has  heard 
and  answered  prayer.  The  work  is  still  going  on.  Let 
praying  ones  take  courage,  and  be  not  afraid,  only  believe. 


400  THE   HAEVEST   WORK 

"  On  last  Saturday  evening,  commencing  about  six 
o'clock,  a  gathering  of  Christians  and  young  converts  met 
Mr.  Hammond  before  his  departure,  at  Mr.  Charles  McKin- 
ney's.  The  house  was  crowded  with  children  and  young 
persons.  After  the  children  had  gone,  older  persons  assem- 
bled. It  was  a  public  gathering,  the  invitation  being  gen- 
eral to  all  Christians  who  desired  to  meet  Mr.  Hammond. 
Perhaps  no  happier  meeting  was  ever  held  in  Binghamton. 
The  voices  of  the  young  singers,  floating  out  upon  the  night 
air,  could  be  heard  for  distances  along  the  streets. 

"  On  Sunday  evening  Mr.  Hammond  preached  his  last 
sermon.  The  large  Presbyterian  church  was  filled  with  a 
greater  concourse  than  had  heretofore  assembled.  The 
seats  were  full,  the  pulpit  steps  filled  with  children,  the  gal- 
leries packed,  numbers  were  seated  on  the  floor,  and  in  the 
vestibule,  and  about  the  door  stood  many  who  could  not  find 
sittings.  Mr.  Hammond  addressed  Christians  and  young 
converts,  near  the  close  of  his  sermon  speaking  only  for  a 
few  minutes  to  the  unconverted.  An  earnest,  solemn  feel- 
ing prevailed  in  the  audience,  and,  at  the  close  of  the  dis- 
course, hundreds  of  young  converts  and  inquirers  rose  for 
prayers. ' ' 

ELMIEA,    N.    T. 

A  united  call  from  this  city  took  Mr.  Hammond 
to  that  place  in  December,  1865.  Most  of  the 
evening  meetings  were  held  in  Rev.  Dr.  Curtis's 
Presbyterian  church.  Eev.  Thomas  K.  Beecher 
had  spent  a  day  in  Binghamton,  and  had  brought 
back  a  report  which  had  encouraged  the  Christians 
in  Elmira  to  pray  for  a  similar  blessing.  The 
Annerican  Presbyterian  says  : 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  401 

*'  The  meetings  are  crowded  nightly,  and  so  large  is  the 
number  unable  to  obtain  seats  in  the  church  where  Mr. 
Hammond  preaches,  that  a  neighboring  one  has  been  open- 
ed and  filled. 

"  Among  those  who  gathered  in  one  part  of  the  house  for 
a  second  meeting  was  a  Scotchman,  from  Glasgow,  who  at- 
tended Mr.  Hammond's  meetings  in  that  city  four  years 
ago.  He  was  a  scoffer  then,  and  did  not  belie  v^e  in  sudden 
conversions  at  least.  But  when  he  heard  Mr.  Hammond 
was  here,  he  came  to  hear  him,  and,  thongh  still  a  scoffer, 
the  truth  so  solemnly  held  up  reached  his  heart,  giving  him 
no  peace  till  he  found  it  in  Jesus. 

"  An  infidel  soldier  came  to  the  meeting  to  scoff.  The 
truth  reached  him,  and  for  several  days  he  was  very  un- 
happy. One  night,  as  he  was  going  home  from  the  meet- 
ing, he  felt,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  as  if  he  would  like 
to  pray  ;  but  he  w^as  driven  back  by  the  thought  of  en- 
countering the  scoffs  of  his  old  companions.  Next  day  he 
was  placed  on  guard,  and  he  studied  the  matter  all  day  ; 
but  that  night  as  he  paced  his  beat,  he  stopped  and  looked 
up  at  the  moon  and  stars,  and  as  he  thought  how  beautiful 
they  were,  he  seemed  to  hear  the  words,  '  Come  to  Jesus.' 
*  I  will,'  said  he  ;  and  there,  leaning  on  his  gun,  he  offered 
his  first  prayer,  yielding  himself  to  Jesus,  and  resolved  to 
bear  all  for  His  sake — '  and,'  said  he,  '  Jesus  took  me."*  He 
has  become  a  hard-working  Christian,  and  his  influence  is 
great  among  the  soldiers. 

"A  young  man,  professionally  a  champion  billiard- 
player,  went  into  the  meeting  several  times  in  Binghamton, 
but  always  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  and  attended  by  a 
crowd  of  young  men,  who  came  for  amusement.  Mrs. 
Sluyter  saw  him  there,  and  repeatedly  conversed  and  prayed 
with  and  for  him.  When  Mr.  Hammond  came  to  Elmira, 
that  young  man  commenced  attending  the  meetings  again. 


402  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

Last  night  he  confessed  a  hope  in  Jesus,  and  his  new  life 
gives  sweet  evidence  of  the  genuineness  of  the  work. 

"Mr.  Hammond  held  a  meeting  out  at  the  Confederate 
camp  yesterday,  where  are  many  thousands,  and  the  inter- 
est among  the  soldiers  is  constantly  increasing.  "Wanderers 
from  Christ's  fold  have  been  brought  back,  and  many  led 
to  the  Saviour.  It  is  wonderful  how  ready  they  are  to  hear 
and  embrace  the  truth,  and  it  seems  as  if  what  we  see  here 
is  only  an  instance  of  what  God  will  do  for  them,  all  over 
the  land,  if  the  effort  to  reach  them  is  made. 

"  There  is  great  interest  in  the  jail.  There  are  twenty- 
four  male  prisoners  charged  with  State  prison  offences.  Of 
these,  twenty-one  said  yesterday  that  they  were  resolved 
to  become  Christians — to  begin  the  new  year  not  merely 
with  external  reformation,  but  by  coming  to  Jesus. 

"Mr.  Hammond  preached  twice  in  Waverly  last  week. 
A  glorious  work  is  in  progress  there.  Daily  meetings  are 
being  held,  and  it  was  announced  in  the  meeting  last  night 
that  a  proportionately  large  number  had  found  Jesus. 

"  Take  courage,  Christian  !  God  is  true  and  faithftil ! 
If  we  work  and  pray,  He  will,  for  Christ's  sake,  bless  and 
aid  us.  If  we  try  to  be  faithful  agents  by  consecrating  our- 
selves wholly  to  His  work,  and  by  simply  considering  our- 
selves His  own,  that  He  may  work  and  speak  through  us,  it 
will  be  true  of  us  as  of  His  servant  of  old,  'I  being  in  the 
way  the  Lord  led  me. '  And  if  we  sow  faithfully,  and  watch 
and  hope  in  entire  dependence  upon  His  promises,  whether 
we  see  it  now  or  not,  it  will  all  be  gathered,  and  we  shall 
know  it  in  the  great  Harvest  Home." 

REV.    T.     K.    BEECHEK. 

We  quote  a  few  sentences  from  a  letter  written 
to  the  Elmira  Advertiser,  by  Rev.  Thomas  K. 
Beecher  : 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  403 

"  I  think  that  I  speak  the  profound  conviction  of  every 
pastor  in  the  city  when  I  confess  myself  weak,  oh,  how 
weak  !  in  the  matter  of  converting  men  from  worldliness  to 
holiness,  from  self  to  Christ.  We  toil  all  the  night,  and 
take  nothing.  Yet  betimes,  letting  down  the  net,  at  our 
Father's  bidding,  we  find  it  filling  full. 

"  Such  a  time  the  present  seems  to  be.  We  have  not 
found  a  new  gospel,  but  the  gospel  has  found  a  new  hear- 
ing— and  we  are  glad.  We  open  our  Testaments  and  read, 
'  The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  ye  hear  the  sound 
thereof  and  cannot  tell  whence  it  cometh,  nor  where  it 
goeth,  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit. ' 

' '  How  account  for  this  sudden  and  widespread  waken- 
ing ?  Reverently  I  answer,  it  is  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  and 
happy  is  he  who  is  found  willing  in  the  day  of  His  power." 

One  of  the  pastors  stated  that  he  believed  the 
number  of  conversions  to  be  no  less  than  fifteen 
hundred.  The  Elmira  Female  College  received  a 
rich  blessing.  Of  the  one  hundred  and  forty 
joung  ladies,  all  but  four  testified  that  they  had 
then  or  before  found  Christ  or  were  seeking  Him. 
Would  that  every  young  ladies'  seminary  in  the 
United  States  might  receive  such  a  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  !  Watkins  also  shared  in  the  blessing. 
Huben  Abby,  Presbyterian  pastor  at  Terra  Haute, 
Ind.,  was  converted  at  that  time. 

TOWANDA,    PENN. 

Rev.  William  H.  Harris  gives  the  following 
account  of  the  work  in  Towanda,  Penn.  He  thus 
speaks  of  Mr.  Hammond's  ten  days'  labor  : 


404  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

"  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  came  down  from  Elmira,  and  has 
held  two  meetings  here  daily.  He  preached  a  powerful  dis- 
course, or  rather  series  of  short  discourses,  on  Sunday 
night,  enchaining  for  hours  the  attention  of  a  large  and  un- 
wearied congregation  by  his  peculiarly  interesting  mode  of 
illustrating  gospel  truth. 

"At  this  time  the  thermometer,  which  had  fallen  sud- 
denly about  the  time  Mr,  Hammond  left  Elmira,  had  got 
down  to  thirteen  degrees  below  zero,  but  after  that  long-to- 
be-remembered  cold  Monday  morning  the  weather  moder- 
ated ;  very  soon  it  got  above  the  freezing  point,  and  in  a 
few  days  there  was  a  great  thaw  ;  forming  an  apt  illustra- 
tion of  the  progress  of  the  good  work  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people.  Beautiful  weather  followed,  and  thank  God,  '  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  arose  with  healing  in  His  wings. ' 

"  To  describe  what  followed  after  the  tide  turned  is  far 
beyond  the  power  of  the  writer.  The  history  of  the  con- 
version of  a  single  sinner,  a  description  of  that  wonderful 
tiling,  a  change  of  heart,  must  ever  be  a  futile  attempt.  It 
must  be  felt  to  be  fully  understood.  But  how  can  we  de- 
pict the  scene  where  hundreds  of  all  ages  were  '  converted 
and  became  as  little  children.'  As  the  coldness  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  meetings  was  not  peculiar  to  any  denomina- 
tion, so  the  awakening  was  general  and  simultaneous.  The 
'  shallow  sectarian  pools  on  the  shore  were  obliterated  '  by 
the  incoming  spring-tide  of  the  ocean  of  Christian  love. 
Methodists,  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  and  Presbyterians  filled 
the  largest  churches  in  town,  and  sometimes  the  Court 
House  to  overflowing  ;  many  persons  often  standing  during 
services  protracted  to  three  or  four  hours,  refusing  to  go 
away  after  the  meeting  was  dismissed  more  than  once,  fill- 
ing the  seats,  aisles  and  standing  places  sometimes  till  near 
midnight,  in  the  most  extraordinary  manner.  Aarons  and 
Hurs,  the  clergy  of  all  the  different  denominations  in  the 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIKIT.  405 

town  and  vicinity  aided  in  the  good  work,  and  above  all  the 
voice  of  fervent  prayer  from  the  hearts  and  lips  of  thou- 
sands ascended  to  heaven.  Old  Christians  were  revived, 
*  the  boarders  '  who  had  been  mere  inmates  in  the  house  of 
God,  many  of  whom  had  not  (or  thought  they  had  not) 
done  enough  for  the  family  to  even  pay  for  their  board, 
became  active,  working  Christians,  discovering  that  it  was 
not  enough  to  pray  to  God  to  save  sinners,  without  them- 
selves saying  a  word  in  season  to  them,  or  reaching  out  a 
hand  to  help  them.  Hundreds  upon  hundreds  who  had 
heretofore  ' '  cared  for  none  of  these  things, '  gave  them- 
selves up  wholly  to  Jesus  and  confessed  their  sins,  renounc- 
ed all  self-righteousness,  looked  to  the  cross  and  were 
healed,  depending  alone  on  Christ  and  Him  crucified  and 
finding  comfort  in  believing  that  He  is  able  and  willing  to 
save  all  that  come  unto  Him,  while  many  anxious  inquirers 
saying,  '  What  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?  '  listened  with 
breathless  interest  to  the  answer  of  Christian  friends,  '  Jesus 
has  done  it  all. ' 

"  Let  no  one  who  reads  this  suppose  this  is  a  mere  tem- 
porary excitement  got  up  among  weak-minded  women  and 
children.  On  the  contrary  men  and  women  of  all  ages,  of 
the  best  intelligence  and  capacity,  tradesmen,  merchants 
and  professional  men,  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  late  war 
who  had  faced  death  in  many  battles,  tavern-keepers,  the 
profane  and  vicious,  and  those  who  had  been  strictly  moral 
in  their  lives,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  rude  and  the  re- 
fined, the  learned  and  the  ignorant,  the  talented  and  the 
simple-minded,  bowed  together  at  the  foot  of  the  cross, 
friends  rejoiced  together,  and  foes  were  reconciled. 

"It  is  very  difficult  to  estimate  the  numbers  of  anxious 
inquirers  and  hopeful  converts,  but  we  think  we  may  safely 
say  that  at  least  four  hundred  in  this  town  of  twenty-five 
hundred  people  gave  outward  evidence  of  conversion,  and 


406  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

if  we  add  to  these  the  many  who  conceal  their  interest  in 
the  subject  or  attempt  to  smother  their  convictions  by 
feigned  indifference  or  frivolity,  the  numbers  who  have  been 
visited  by  tlie  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  will  strengthen  our 
faith  in  believing  that  there  are  many  that  shall  be  saved 
and  reminding  us  of  that  '  great  multitude  which  no  man 
could  number  of  all  nations  and  kindred  and  people  and 
tongues,  which  stood  before  the  throne  and  before  the 
Lamb  clothed  with  white  robes  and  with  palms  in  their 
hands." 

"  A  number  of  our  young  men  have  been  going  out,  '  two 
and  two,'  holding  religious  meetings  nightly,  in  the  school- 
houses  and  churches  in  the  neighboring  townships  and 
smaller  villages.  The  people  take  great  interest  in  the  sub- 
ject of  religion,  and  the  meetings  are  all  well  attended. 
The  state  of  feeling  has  been  compared  to  a  cup  of  water 
full,  ready  to  overflowing  on  the  addition  of  a  single  drop 
more.  As  an  illustrative  example,  I  will  give  one  instance 
taken  from  many. 

* '  A  young  lady  from  the  country  was  converted  at  one  of 
the  union  meetings  held  in  Towanda.  The  next  day  she 
walked  up  to  town,  six  miles,  to  secure  the  services  of  two 
of  the  young  Christians  to  hold  a  meeting  in  her  neighbor- 
hood. She  gave  notice,  and  collected  a  goodly  number  of 
persons,  but,  unfortunately,  the  young  men  did  not  come, 
and  the  people  went  away  laughing  at  her.  Nothing  dis- 
couraged, she  walked  up  again,  and  procured  the  positive 
promise  from  two  others  to  go  the  next  night.  As  they 
were  about  starting  out,  a  clergyman  of  the  '  little  faith  ' 
kind,  advised  them  not  to  cast  their  pearls  before  swine  in 
so  unpromising  a  locality.  There  was  no  Sabbath-school 
there,  no  preaching,  and  no  prayer-meeting  held  in  the 
place.  The  two  young  men  who  went  had  never  conducted 
a  meeting  before,  and  their  religious  experience  had  been 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  407 

very  short.  They  had  to  do  all  the  praying  themselves,  and 
nearly  all  the  singing,  the  audience  not  having  even  respect 
enough  for  religion  to  bow  their  heads  in  prayer.  The  ex- 
hortations of  these  young  men  were  not  attempts  at  lay 
preaching,  they  were  not  public  speakers,  and  they  had  lit- 
erally obeyed  the  injunction  to  '  take  no  thought  before- 
hand what  ye  shall  speak,  neither  do  ye  premeditate  ;  but 
whatsoever  shall  be  given  you  in  that  hour,  that  speak  ye, 
for  it  is  not  ye  that  speak  but  the  Holy  Ghost. '  They  told 
the  story  of  their  own  conversion  and  the  conversion  of  so 
many  others  in  Towanda,  at  those  precious  meetings  in 
January  ;  they  told  the  story  of  the  cross,  too,  in  a  plain 
and  simple  way,  '  as  though  Christ  did  beseech  you  by  us 
be  ye  reconciled  to  God.' 

' '  The  result  I  must  tell  you  in  a  few  words.  Before 
the  close  of  the  first  meeting,  six  or  seven  arose  for  prayers, 
and  a  unanimous  vote  was  taken  that  the  meetings  be  con- 
tinued, and  that  the  aid  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  Association  of 
Towanda  be  requested  for  this  meeting. 

"  The  work  was  continued  by  these  and  other  young  con- 
verts nightly,  without  a  single  sermon  by  a  minister  ;  and 
at  the  end  of  two  weeks,  the  seed  sown  was  watered  by  the 
Spirit,  sinners  were  converted,  fifty-six  arose  for  prayers  or 
as  young  converts,  and  only  one  man,  at  the  last  meeting, 
did  not  rise  as  a  young  convert,  an  anxious  inquirer,  or  as  a 
Christian  ;  he  went  home,  and  that  night,  for  the  first  time 
in  his  life,  had  family  worsliip,  and  he  is  now  a  hopeful, 
happy  Christian." 

THE    MODE    OF    PREACHING. 

The  author  of  the  ''  Coal  Regions  of  America" 
says  : 

*'  Mr.  Hammond  preaches  from  a  high  platform  where  he 


408  THE   HAKVEST    WORK 

can  get  as  near  his  hearers  as  possible.  John  B.  Gough 
speaks  with  his  coat-tail  sometimes  as  effectually  as  with  his 
tongue,  and  certainly  we  have  seen  some  good  ideas,  or 
shades  of  meaning,  communicated  by  Mr.  Hammond  from 
the  platform  which  would  have  been  lost  behind  an  ordi- 
nary pulpit.  You  may  call  his  gestures  and  action  on  the 
stage  dramatic  if  you  please,  but  we  can  certainly  see  no 
reason  why  the  devil  should  have  all  the  good  speaking  and 
acting,  any  more  than  '  all  the  good  singing, '  as  Wesley 
said.  Then  again,  the  singing  from  his  hymn  book,  is  made 
a  powerful  means  of  conveying  truth.  Not  confining  him- 
self to  any  order  of  exercises,  he  often  rests  himself  during 
his  protracted  sermons,  after  some  exhausting  effort,  by 
singing  a  hymn,  at  the  same  time  resting  the  audience  by  a 
change  of  position  by  their  rising,  and  ventilating  the  room. 
His  discourses  are  also  sandwiched  by  an  occasional  short, 
strong,  earnest  prayer,  the  audience  bowing  their  heads, 
and  sometimes  a  few  sentences  are  repeated  aloud  after  him 
by  the  people. 

"  He  is  a  wonderfully  successful  preacher.  What  is  his 
system  ?  We  can  only  answer  what  we  think  about  it.  If 
a  man  of  strong  bodily  constitution,  and  with  the  other 
physical  qualifications,  prepared  by  a  thorough  education, 
with  good  abilities,  a  good  fund  of  choice  language  and  fine 
natural  powers  of  eloquence,  and  inspired  by  great  zeal  and 
exhaustless  energy,  starts  out  in  early  life  to  prepare  him- 
self, and  devotes  his  whole  soul  to  one  subject  and  with  one 
object  in  view,  he  can  almost  always  do  wonders.  Nature 
has  done  more  than  we  have  stated  for  Mr.  Hammond,  and 
the  grace  of  God  has  done  the  rest.  The  result  of  his  suc- 
cess is  his  strong  earnest  faith,  and  his  more  than  magnetic 
power  of  impressing  his  hearers  with  the  saving  faith  in 
Jesus.  He  preaches  only  on  one  subject,  but  that  is  as  wide 
as  the  world,  faith  in  Jesus,  repent,   believe  and  be  saved 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  409 

*  just  now. '  He  comes  into  a  town,  or  to  an  individual, 
with  a  confident  assurance  that  admits  of  no  doubt,  and 
insists,  nay,  urges,  with  an  immovable  firmness  that  that 
town  or  person  can  and  shall  and  must  be  converted  from 
the  error  of  their  ways  and  turn  to  Christ.  He  is  so  sure  of 
it  that  you  cannot  help  believing  him,  and  generally  he  has 
his  own  way  about  it.  But  this  of  course  is  only  the  lowest 
aspect  of  the  matter,  behind  and  over  it  all  is  the  unseen, 
but  deeply  felt  power  of  God  which  accompanies  this  man's 
words,  and  which  soon  enables  us  to  forget  the  messenger 
and  heed  only  the  message.  '  Without  parables  spake  he 
nothing  '  has  been  Mr.  Hammond's  lesson  in  rhetoric.  Not 
that  he  is  destitute  of  powers  of  persuasion  and  alluring  in 
the  ordinary  forms  of  pulpit  eloquence,  or  that  he  fails  to 
use  them.  It  is  evident  he  could  preach  as  splendid  thirdly 
and  fourthly  sermons  as  any  man.  But  that  is  not  his  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  mental  artist,  his  sermons  are  pictures  to  be 
seen  and  felt  as  well  as  heard.  His  powers  of  illustration 
are  admirable  and  inexhaustible.  A  point  which  any 
amount  of  plain  reasoning  would  not  convince  you  of  or 
make  clear,  you  at  once  concede  and  remember  forever 
after,  in  consequence  of  some  little  narrative  about  a  tree, 
or  a  bunch  of  moss,  or  incident  of  foreign  travel  (a  descrip- 
tion of  some  picture  which  you  almost  see  again  painted  on 
the  wall),  a  dangerous  bridge,  a  shepherd  and  a  lamb,  or 
some  Scripture  incident  in  which  he  shows  you  a  meaning 
you  never  saw  before,  or  perhaps  a  single  comparison  con- 
veying a  world  of  truth  and  meaning  like  a  skilful  stroke  of 
a  pencil. 

"  Are  his  meetings  very  solemn  ?  If  it  is  a  solemn  thing 
to  see  persons  shedding  tears  for  their  sins,  and  for  the 
sufferings  of  a  crucified  Saviour,  then  they  are  very  solemn. 
But  if  by  a  solemn  meeting  you  mean  one  where  no  face 
shining  with  joy  is  seen,  and  no  happy  smile  is  permitted, 


410  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

then  they  are  not  solemn  meetings.  Mr.  Hammond  is  a 
Christian,  and  when  he  has  finished  a  series  of  meetings, 
most  of  his  hearers,  by  the  blessing  of  God's  Holy  Spirit, 
are  Christians  also.  He  is  always  overflowing  with  a  Chris- 
tian's joy  unspeakable,  and  it  is  of  a  very  contagious  char- 
acter. His  meetings  prove  that  there  is  joy  on  earth  as  well 
as  in  heaven  when  a  sinner  repenteth. 

"  Aside  from  his  own  very  remarkable  qualifications  for 
the  work  of  the  conversion  of  sinners,  he  has  a  great  faculty 
for  calling  for  help  from  other  Christians,  and  enlisting 
them  also.  And  one  important  aid  in  his  work,  and  which 
gives  him  so  much  assured  faith,  is  that  he  is,  and  feels 
that  he  is  backed  up  by  much  fervent  prayer  by  Christians 
where  he  has  recently  labored,  thus  continually  following 
him  from  place  to  place  with  an  unseen  power  from  on  High. 

"  Let  us  do  justice  to  Mr.  Hammond,  as  a  man,  to  his 
talents,  his  zeal,  courage  and  piety  ;  and  those  who  deny 
him  any  of  these  qualities  cannot  deny  what  is  more  impor- 
tant, the  reality  of  the  results  of  his  preaching,  God  bless 
him  !  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  thousands,  and  he  is  blessed, 
for  '  he  that  converteth  a  soul  covereth  a  multitude  of  sins. '  " 

The  immber  of  communicants  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  was  doubled  at  that  time,  and  very  many  of 
the  most  active  members  at  present,  then  made  a 
profession  of  rehgion.  The  bnihling  itself  had  to 
be  enlarged  to  accommodate  the  increased  number 
of  worshippers. 

ATHENS,    CORNING,     EKIE. 

A.  company  of  thirty  or  forty  accompanied  Mr. 
Hammond  from  Towanda  to  Athens,  where  a  few 
meetings  were  held,  with  the  blessing  of  God.     The 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  411 

next  place  of  labor  was  Corning  on  the  Erie  Rail- 
road. Union  meetings  were  commenced  in  the 
church  of  Rev.  Dr.  Niles.  Only  a  week  could  be 
given  to  the  place.  The  children  and  young  people 
yielded  to  the  Spirit's  inflnence  and  accepted  Christ, 
but  the  adult  population  seemed  to  be  within  an 
impenetrable  fortress  of  prejudice.  Words  that 
had  touched  hearts  in  other  places  fell  powerless. 
Comparatively  few  adults  were  converted.  At  the 
closing  meeting,  Saturday  morning,  an  old  man 
who  went  by  the  name  of  '^  the  Prophet,"  just  as 
Mr.  Hammond  had  said,  ^'  I  must  meet  an  engage- 
ment in  another  city  to-morrow,"  arose  and  said, 
''^  If  lie  leaves  this  jplace  now  God  will  send  him 
hack  /  his  work  is  not  done. "  He  did  leave,  how- 
ever, with  no  intention  of  returning.  Each  of  the 
pastors,  meantime,  found  that  from  Elmira,  where 
there  had  been  such  a  glorious  work,  there  had 
come  false  reports  prejudicing  the  people  against 
the  evangelist,  and  behind  this  barrier  many  were 
intrenched.  After  all  Mr.  Hammond  did  not 
suffer  as  much  as  Paul  did  at  Lystra,  when  ' '  There 
came  thither  certain  Jews  from  Antioch  and 
Iconium  who  persuaded  the  people,  and  having 
stoned  Paul,  drew  him  out  of  the  city  supposing  he 
had  been  dead."  The  next  Sabbath  each  of  the 
pastors  cleared  away  these  false  fortifications,  and 
many  felt  ashamed  that  they  had  resisted  the  truth 
as  spoken  night  after  night  by  His  servant. 


412  THE   HARVEST   WORK. 

Contrary  to  all  expectations  Mr.  Hammond  was 
led  back  to  Corning  the  next  Tuesday,  where  he  was 
able  to  spend  one  night.  A  crowded  house  greeted 
him.  From  the  very  first  it  was  evident  that  '^  the 
arrows  of  the  King  were  sharp  in  the  hearts  of  the 
King's  enemies."  "'  The  slain  of  the  Lord  were 
many."  So  great  was  the  number  of  anxious  in- 
quirers that  it  was  impossible  to  close  the  meetings 
till  long  past  midnight.  Though  Mr.  Hammond  was 
obliged  to  leave  the  next  day  for  Hornellsville  and 
Erie,  yet  the  work  went  on  with  great  power.  The 
results  were  widespread  and  permanent.  Some  of 
the  children  converted  at  that  time.  Rev.  Dr.  J^iles 
writes,  are  now  missionaries  in  foreign  lands  doing 
a  grand  work  for  the  Master. 


CHAPTER  XX, 

Erie — Remarkable  Experience  of  a  Minister — Consecration — 
Results — Williamsport  —  Peoria — Remarkable  Work — Cars 
Thrown  from  the  Track — Judge  Gale's  Conversion — A  Doc- 
tor's Experience — A  Raid  upon  Pekin — Many  Surrender — 
Note  from  D.  W.  McWilliams — Missionaries  for  Japan. 

After  three  days  at  Horiiellsville,  meetings  were 
commenced  at  Erie,  where  Mr.  Hammond  spent 
eight  days.  Eev.  Mr.  Bainbridge,  who  has  since 
written  an  interesting  book  giving  an  account  of  his 
travels  around  the  world,  had  visited  Mr.  Ham- 
mond in  Corning,  and  secured  from  him  a  promise 
to  spend  at  least  a  week  with  him  in  Erie.  Other 
churches  joined  in  the  work. 

The  Presbyterian  Banner  correspondent  says  : 

"  We  trust  hundreds  have  been  converted  in  our  city  ; 
some  of  whom  would  have  been  regarded  as  almost  hope- 
less. One  hundred  and  forty  have  connected  themselves 
with  the  Baptist  church,  and  several  of  the  others  will  have 
large  additions.  Thirty-four  persons,  among  whom  were 
several  of  our  most  influential  citizens,  came  forward  and 
confessed  Christ." 


414  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

C.  W.  Higgiiis,  writing  to  the  American  Presby- 
terian^ says  : 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Hammond  read,  this  morning,  a  deeply  inter- 
esting letter,  before  the  Erie  County  Sabbath-school  Con- 
vention : 

"  I  am  nearly  a  stranger  to  you,  though  I  heard  you 
preach  in  Rochester  in  1863,  when  I  was  in  the  Theological 
Seminary.  But  I  did  not  work  in  the  meetings.  And  much 
of  the  time,  since  I  have  been  preaching,  I  have  labored 
under  the  lash.  But  nearly  two  months  ago  the  Holy  Spirit 
showed  me  that  I  was  not  living  as  a  minister  of  Christ 
ought.  But  the  Holy  Ghost  came  upon  me  in  answer  to 
earnest  prayer  and  self-examination,  and  began  to  purify 
me.  In  the  first  place,  I  made  an  entire  consecration  of 
myself  to  the  Lord.  I  asked  myself  a  number  of  questions, 
probing  to  the  very  centre  of  my  soul,  wrote  them  out  on 
paper,  went  to  my  room,  and  after  a  full  confession  of  my 
sinfulness  to  God,  prayed  for  grace  to  answer  them  in  the 
affirmative.  The  struggle  was  very  severe  ;  but  at  last 
grace  was  given  me  in  full  measure,  I  was  enabled  to  feel 
that  my  will  was  swallowed  up  in  the  divine  will.  And  a 
few  days  of  great  peace  and  boldness  in  the  Lord  succeeded, 
and  then  I  prayed  for  a  still  greater  anointing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and,  thanks  to  Jesus,  it  came.  For  nearly  an  hour 
and  a  half  I  had  the  most  unspeakable  sense  of  the  presence 
of  the  Spirit.  I  was  almost  speechless.  I  felt  so  deeply 
that  I  had  not  honored  Him  in  my  preaching.  Then  a  sweet 
and  blessed  view  of  Jesus  succeeded,  filling  my  whole  soul 
with  a  most  ecstatic  sense  of  the  preciousness  of  the  blood 
of  Calvary.  Then  came  a  realization  of  the  love  of  the 
Father  in  giving  His  Son  to  die  for  me.  I  could  hardly 
endure  the  sight. 

"  The  fruits  are  most  blessed.     I  preach  as  I  never  ex- 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  415 

pected  to.  I  have  the  boldness  to  tell  the  people  anything 
that  I  know  God  wants  me  to.  I  have  a  spiritual  discern- 
ment I  never  had  before  I  have  power  with  God  in  prayer 
such  as  I  never  experienced.  It  is  blessed  to  live  by  the 
faith  of  the  Son  of  Ood. 

"  What  a  blessing  to  the  Church  and  the  world  would 
ensue,  if  all  of  us  that  handle  the  word  of  life  should  wrestle 
up  to  a  like  experience.  Surely  we  should  also  speak  with 
'  other  tongues  '  as  the  Spirit  should  give  us  utterance." 

WILLIAMSPORT,    PA. 

The  next  place  of  labor  was  in  Williamsport, 
where  Mr.  Hammond  spent  eight  days.  No 
building  in  the  city  was  large  enough  to  contain  the 
crowds.  Every  nook  and  corner  of  the  Court  House 
was  filled.  '^  Reconstructed  "  Christians  were 
aroused  to  greater  activity.  It  was  reported  that 
during  the  brief  time  Mr.  Hammond  was  there, 
something  like  eight  hundred  professed  conversion. 
Whether  this  be  true  or  not,  it  was  a  mighty  work 
of  God's  Spirit,  and  one  long  to  be  remembered. 
Anson  G.  Phelps  Dodge,  son  of  William  E.  Dodge, 
resided  there  at  the  time,  and  induced  the  men 
employed  in  his  lumber  works  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings. 

PEORIA,  ILL. 

Nearly  all  the  ministers  in  this  city  were  united 
in  laboring  with  the  evangelist  for  the  salvation  of 
souls.  About  eight  years  after,  says  Kev.  Dr. 
Hovey,  now  of  Minneapolis,  those  who  were  still 


416  THE  HARVEST  WORK: 

present  witli  the  others  united  in  inviting  him  again 
to  that  city,  but  Mr.  Hammond  was  on  his  way  to 
California  and  could  not  go.  The  daily  and  the 
religious  press  gave  lengthy  accounts  of  the  work 
there.     We  give  a  few  extracts  : 

' '  About  three  weeks  since,  at  the  urgent  solicitations  of 
the  Christians  of  Peoria,  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  came  here. 
During  the  first  week  of  his  stay,  meetings  were  held  more 
especially  for  children,  and  God  so  far  blessed  his  efforts 
that  we  think  it  safe  to  say  about  three  hundred  children 
were  rejoicing  in  a  Saviour's  love.  Since  that  time  meet- 
ings for  adults  have  been  held  every  evening.  Our  largest 
hall  has  been  found  incapable  of  holding  all  those  that 
throng  to  hear  Mr.  Hammond.  While  he  speaks  of  the 
wonderful  love  of  God,  of  His  ready  forgiveness,  words  so 
simple  that  a  child  may  understand,  we  cease  to  wonder  at 
his  success.  'Tis  not  merely  the  outcasts  from  society  that 
have  been  reclaimed  during  these  meetings,  but  a  large 
number  of  our  most  prominent  and  influential  citizens,  who 
have  disbelieved  the  Bible,  and  even  scoffed  and  made  light 
of  the  meetings,  when  they  fiirst  attended,  have  given  con- 
clusive evidence  of  their  love  for  Christ.  Some  of  our  most 
distinguished  lawyers  and  physicians  have  taken  a  decided 
stand,  and  declared  their  determination  to  serve  the  Lord 
the  remainder  of  their  life.  Many,  of  all  classes,  ages,  and 
conditions  of  men,  who  have  not  attended  church  during  the 
last  nine  or  ten  years,  have,  through  the  influence  of  God's 
Spirit,  been  drawn  to  the  meetings.  The  good  that  is  being 
done  here  cannot  be  estimated.  Business  men  seem  to  be 
absorbed  in  the  prevailing  topic,  religion. 

"  The  First  Presbyterian  church  was  thronged  last  even- 
ing, and  the  meeting  was  one  of  the  deepest  and  most  in- 
tense interest.     At  the  close  of  a  practical  sermon  by  Mr. 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  417 

Hammond,  the  congregation  was  dismissed,  but  each  one 
seemed  reluctant  to  leave  the  church,  and  then  was  wit- 
nessed a  scene  which  will  always  live  in  the  memory  of  those 
who  witnessed  it.  A  prominent  lawyer  of  our  city  was  in- 
troduced by  Mr.  Hammond,  who  related  a  most  deeply  in- 
teresting account  of  his  recent  conversion.  In  the  cars  he 
was  talking  with  some  friends  against  the  revival.  In  five 
minutes  the  cars  were  thrown  from  the  track  and  many  in- 
jured, and  the  thought  occurred  where  should  I  have  been 
now  if  I  had  been  killed,  all  unprepared  as  I  am  to  meet 
God.  The  next  Sabbath  evening  he  came  with  his  wife  to 
hear  Mr.  Hammond  preach.  He  had  listened  but  a  few  mo- 
ments when  his  sins  became  a  heavy  burden. 

"  The  next  night  he  gave  himself  up  to  Him  who  died  to 
save  sinners,  and  all  the  burden  was  gone,  and  he  felt  far 
happier  than  ever  before  in  his  life.  It  was  not  any  mere 
excitement  with  him,  but  a  more  glorious  and  solemn  reali- 
ty. He  wished  all  could  experience  the  happy  change  of 
heart  which  he  had.  Many  were  bathed  in  tears  during  his 
touching  remarks. 

"  On  Thursday  evening  between  fifteen  hundred  and  two 
thousand  people  were  gathered  in  Rouse's  Hall.  A  deep 
thoughtfulness  pervaded  the  audience.  Perhaps  one  of  the 
most  impressive  parts  of  the  exercises  was  the  manly  avowal 
of  Christ  by  a  prominent  lawyer  in  the  city,  a  man  of  talent 
and  influence.  He  said  that  on  Sabbath  afternoon  he 
stepped  into  the  children's  meeting,  and  after  remaining  for 
about  five  minutes  he  went  home  and  ridiculed  the  whole 
affair.  On  Monday,  in  the  court-house,  on  the  street,  in  his 
office,  with  bitter  opposition  in  his  heart,  he  spoke  of  the 
meetings,  and  said  he  wondered  that  people  of  sense  could 
stay  in  a  place  where  scenes  were  taking  place  which  he 
considered  supremely  ridiculous.  He  had  a  Christian  wife, 
and  she  induced  him  to  attend  a  meetino-  for  adults.     He 


418  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

had  not  heard  Mr.  Hammond  speak  ten  minutes  when  he 
felt  his  heart  burdened  with  a  strange  weight.  He  went 
home,  requested  his  wife  to  retire  and  let  him  read  the 
paper.  But  it  had  no  attraction  for  him  that  night.  He 
laid  it  aside,  and  knelt  and  prayed.  He  could  not  pray  loud 
enough  in  the  parlor,  fearing  that  his  wife  would  hear  him, 
so  he  went  to  the  barn  and  prayed  there.  Still  he  gained 
no  relief.  So  he  went  back  and  retired,  but  not  to  sleep. 
He  would  not  suffer  his  wife  to  know  that  anything  troubled 
him  ;  so  when,  in  the  morning,  she  asked  him  if  he  had 
slept  well,  he  told  her  a  lie.  He  attended  the  meeting  on 
the  next  evening,  came  home,  and  went  to  the  barn  to  pray. 
'■  And, '  said  he,  '  though  I  have  often  scoffed  at  the  idea  of 
finding  Jesus,  I  did  find  Him,  and  that  night  I  lay  down  to 
rest  with  a  feeling  of  peace  and  security  I  never  experienced 
before. ' 

"  A  case  of  probably  the  most  remarkable  conversion 
which  ever  took  place  in  this  city  was  related  last  night, 
which  sent  joy  to  every  Christian  heart.  Judge  Gale,  a 
man  of  prominence  in  this  community,  a  man  of  middle  age, 
who  has  grown  up  believing  a  false  doctrine,  which  has 
strengthened  with  his  years — denying  the  divinity  of  Christ 
— a  calm,  determined  man,  for  whom  a  praying  wife  ago- 
nized at  the  throne  of  grace,  for  whom  Christians  prayed, 
but,  perhaps  considering  his  case  one  of  the  most  hopeless 
in  the  city,  this  man  stood  up  before  that  large  audience, 
and  declared  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God,  that  He  is  the 
Hearer  of  prayer,  that  He  will  forgive  sins,  that  He  had  for- 
given his  sins. 

"  The  facts,  as  he  stated  them,  were  these  :  He  went  to 
the  meeting  on  Sabbath  evening  to  oblige  his  wife.  The 
truth  was  preached,  and  he  listened  ;  but  no  impression  was 
made,  and  he  intended  to  go  home  and  think  no  more  of  the 
matter  :  but  he  sat  in  one  end  of  a  seat  filled  with  those 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRI'T.  419 

who  wished  to  stay  at  the  inquiry-meeting.  As  he  could 
not  leave,  he  remained.  Mr.  Hammond  came  and  talked 
with  him,  but  could  produce  not  much  apparent  effect  upon 
him.  He  then  prayed  that  God  would  plant  a  thorn  in  his 
pillow,  and  give  him  no  rest  until  he  found  peace  in  Jesus. 
Mr.  Gale  went  home.  Next  day,  his  pastor  called  upon  him 
and  conversed  with  him.  He  was  willing  to  listen,  and 
said,  '  K  I  believed  as  you  do,  I  should  want  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian, but  I  cannot  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  God  ;  and  if 
He  is  not  God,  He  cannot  save  me,  and  all  the  other  doc- 
trines of  the  cross  fall  to  the  ground. '  His  pastor  would 
not  leave  him,  however,  until  he  had  promised  to  examine 
the  matter  again  and  to  pray  to  God  for  light.  Then  he 
thought  of  God,  as  his  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Benefactor, 
and  thought  it  strange  that  he  could  refuse  to  pray  to  Him. 
He  resolved  to  pray  for  light  to  clear  his  difficulties,  and 
during  all  that  day  his  heart  went  up  to  God  for  direction  ; 
but  he  felt  that,  though  perhaps  he  ought  to  pray  to  Jesus, 
he  could  not  do  it. 

"  After  a  day  or  two,  however,  the  character  of  his  prayer 
changed.  A  burden  of  sin  seemed  to  press  him  down  ;  he 
began  to  consider  his  ways  and  note  how  he  had  refused, 
when  God  said  '  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it.'  Now  the 
burden  of  his  prayer  was  for  forgiveness  ;  and  finally  he 
was  led  to  believe  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth 
from  all  sin.  He  did  not  discover  the  changes  in  his 
feelings,  day  after  day,  as  they  took  place  ;  but  now  he 
looks  back  and  sees  plainly  all  the  way  in  which  the  Lord 
led  him. 

'*  As  for  the  doctrines  which  perplexed  him  before,  he 
hopes  to  have  some  understanding  of  them  some  time,  but 
they  shall  trouble  him  no  more. 

"  Others  still  told  us  last  night  of  wonderful  things  God 
had  done  for  them.     A  physician,  although  it  cost  a  great 


420  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

effort,  told  us  that,  since  these  meetings  had  commenced,  he 
had  been  angry  and  rebellious,  using  all  his  influence  against 
them.  One  afternoon  he  took  his  wife  to  a  prayer-meeting 
for  wives  whose  husbands  were  out  of  the  ark  of  safety.  As 
he  left  her  at  the  church,  he  said  he  never  felt  so  mean  in 
his  life.  He  went  to  meeting  in  the  evening,  but  during  the 
first  part  of  the  sermon,  while  the  speaker  declared  God's 
justice  and  judgment,  his  heart  was  hard  and  rebellious. 
But  when  Jesus  was  held  up,  the  melting  story  of  the  Lamb 
touched  his  heart  ;  he  could  resist  no  longer,  but  gave  him- 
self up  to  the  Saviour. 

"  Before  Mr.  Hammond  came,  God's  people  prayed  that 
He  would  prepare  the  way  by  His  Holy  Spirit.  Many  in- 
stances have  proved  that  these  prayers  were  answered. 
About  a  month  ago,  a  dentist — according  to  his  own  state- 
ment last  night — one  of  the  most  openly  wicked  and  careless 
men  in  town,  was  induced  to  attend  church.  He  had  neg- 
lected divine  service  so  long  that  he  had  almost  forgotten 
how  the  inside  of  a  church  looked.  The  sermon  he  heard 
was  a  practical  one,  and  he  felt  that  the  minister  was  preach- 
ing directly  to  him.  The  Holy  Spirit  brought  home  the 
truth  to  his  heart,  and  he  was  troubled.  He  thought  of  the 
subject  almost  constantly,  and  the  burden  grew  heavier. 
At  last,  while  he  was  alone  for  some  time  in  his  office,  he 
thought  he  would  try  to  pray.  He  did  not  know  how  to 
pray,  but  thought  he  would  try  and  say  the  Lord's  i^-rayer, 
which  his  mother  had  taught  him  when  a  boy.  He  got 
about  half  through,  and  found  he  had  forgotten  the  last 
part  of  it.  He  came  to  the  meetings,  but  they  only  deep- 
ened his  convictions.  One  evening  he  caught  hold  of  one  of 
God's  people,  and  begged  him  to  come  to  his  office  next 
morning  early.  His  anguish  was  so  intense,  that  sleep  for- 
sook him.  The  brother  he  spoke  to  came  to  his  office  and 
prayed  with  him.     Afterward,  he  was  alone  in  his  office  for 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  421 

three  hours,  and  he  learned  how  to  pray,  and  he  did  offer 
such  a  prayer  as  God  always  answers. 

'■''  Religion  is  the  common  subject  of  conversation,  even  on 
the  street.  A  gentleman  came  to  the  city  to  buy  goods,  but 
found  it  difficult  to  carry  out  his  purpose,  for  he  said  nearly 
every  one  was  talking  about  religion.  The  owner  of  a  dis- 
tillery, who  was  stopping  at  a  hotel,  declared  that  this  was 
the  work  of  the  Spirit,  and  he  wished  that  his  own  soul 
might  receive  a  blessing. 

"  Last  Sabbath  evening  the  exercises  were  peculiarly 
solemn  and  impressive,  and  at  the  close  of  the  meeting 
nearly  five  hundred  persons  rose  for  prayer.  The  hearts  of 
Christians  in  Peoria  have  been  greatly  encouraged  by  the 
work  of  grace  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Pekin,  Illinois, 
ten  miles  from  here.  On  Friday  last,  about  fifty  Christians 
and  young  converts  accompanied  Mr.  Hammond  to  that 
place.  He  could  only  stay  long  enough  to  hold  three  meet- 
ings, and  many  were  fearful  that  very  little  good  would 
result  from  so  short  a  period  of  labor  ;  but  God  wonderfully 
blessed  the  effort.  In  the  evening  the  hall,  which  was  quite 
a  large  one  was  filled  to  overflowing,  and  those  present  tes- 
tified that  seldom  had  they  seen  such  a  solemn  assembly, 
such  an  intensely  interested  audience.  At  the  morning 
meeting  next  day,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  declared  that 
they  had  found  the  Saviour.  Those  who  went  there  fearful 
of  the  results,  came  home  rejoicing  because  of  the  great 
things  God  had  wrought. 

"  Some  of  the  leading  men  in  Pekin  expressed  great  inter- 
est in  the  conversion  of  Judge  Gale,  Mr.  O'Brien,  and  others 
who  were  well  known  in  that  city.  They  could  scarcely  be- 
lieve the  report,  and  wished  to  hear  it  from  their  own  lips  ; 
then  they  said  they  would  be  convinced  of  its  reality. 
After  Mr.  Hammond's  return  several  of  these  gentlemen 
went  to  Pekin  and  told  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  them. 


422  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

"  A  meeting  was  held  here  last  night  for  men  only.  The 
hall  was  filled,  and  the  meeting  accomplished  much,  espe- 
cially among  those  who  for  want  of  room  and  other  reasons 
had  never  attended  before.  Christians  visited  the  saloons 
and  shops  and  compelled  men  to  come  in  ;  yet  more  than  all 
it  was  the  Holy  Spirit  that  drew  together  that  multitude  of 
men,  over  a  thousand,  representing  all  classes  and  profes- 
sions. A  number  of  moral  men,  who  have  heretofore  de- 
pended upon  their  morality,  despising  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
have  been  brought  to  see  that  their  own  righteousness  is  as 
nothing,  but  only  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  will  avail  with 
God.  Strong  wills  are  being  broken,  and  proud  hearts 
humbled  ;  new  cases  of  interest  are  occurring  almost  every 
day." 

MISSIONARIES    FOR    JAPAN. 

The  following  note  from  D.  W.  McWilliams,  a 
well-known  leading  business  man  in  New  York 
City,  and  an  elder  in  Dr.  Cujler's  cliurch,  is  one  of 
the  many  encouragements  which  Mr.  Hammond 
receives  to  labor  on  for  the  conversion  of  the 
young. 

"39  8.  PoKTLAND  Ave.,  Brooklyn, 
October  8,  1883. 

"  Dear  Brother  Hammond  :  To  cheer  and  encourage 
you  in  your  good  work,  I  send  you  this  line  to  say  that  Rev. 
Charles  Fisher  and  wife,  of  Peoria,  111.,  recently  left  there 
to  become  missionaries  in  Japan.  He  is  a  young  man  of 
great  promise.  At  the  farewell  meeting  he  said  :  '  As  a 
child  in  1866,  and  as  the  first  of  the  revival  under  Mr.  Ham- 
mond, I  stood  up  in  this  church  to  confess  my  Saviour." 
Then  he  wept  and  sat  down. 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  423 

'*  Was  not  that  alone  enough  to  compensate  for  your  visit 
to  Peoria  ? 

**  With  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  Hammond,  sincerely  yours, 

*'D.    W.    McWiLLIAMB." 

A  minister  arose  in  one  of  the  meetings  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  said,  "  I  was  a  little  boy  when 
converted  in  one  of  Mr.  Hanmiond's  meetings  in 
Scotland  in  1860,  and  I  know  of  many  more  minis- 
ters converted  at  the  same  time." 


CHAPTEK  XXI. 

Springfield,  111.— Results  in  Peoria— Meetings  in  Prison- 
Great  Open-air  Meeting— Preparation — Fruits — Girard,  Pa. 
—  Rockford,  111.  —  Vernon,  Ct.  —  Starting  for  Palestine  — 
Scotland  —  London— Paris  —  Switzerland— Vienna  —Italy- 
Egypt— Alexandria — Ships  of  the  Desert — Veiled  Women— ^ 
The  Nile — Cleopatra's  Needle — Pompey's  Pillar — St.  Mark — 
ApoUos — Beyrout,  Mount  Lebanon,  Damascus — Dr.  Mesha- 
ter— Abd-el  Kader— Sketches  of  Palestine— Dr.  Robert  Knox 
— Journey  through  Palestine — Jerusalem— Dr.  Budington — 
Gospel  Meetings — Crown  of  Thorns — Gethsemane — Cairo — 
Sicily  —  Naples  —  Lord  Kintore  —  Florence — Interpreters- 
Meetings  in  Paris — Albert  WoodrufE — Sunday-Schools. 

Springfield,  the  capital  of  the  State,  the  home  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  was  the  next  objective  point. 
The  meetings  were  nearly  all  held  in  the  House  of 
Kepresentatives,  that  being  the  largest  audience- 
room.  A  correspondent  of  the  Sunday -School 
Times  thus  speaks  of  the  work  : 

' '  A  GREAT  REVIVAL  has  been  going  on  in  our  city  during 
the  past  few  weeks.  Meetings  have  been  held  in  the  Hall 
of  Representatives  twice  and  sometimes  three  times  each 
day.  The  house  is  always  well  filled,  and  in  the  afternoon 
and  evening  services  crowded  to  overflowing.  Every  night 
many  are  obliged  to  go  away  for  lack  of  even  standing  room. 


THE   HARVEST   WORK.  425 

"  The  children's  meetiDgs  were  the  most  pleasant  gather- 
ings I  ever  witnessed,  so  many  eager,  happy  faces,  radiant 
with  the  newly  found  hope,  which  nearly  all  express,  is  in- 
deed a  blessed  sight.  Many  careless,  indifferent  persons  of 
all  classes  and  ages  seemed  attracted  there  by  the  voices  of 
these  little  ones  all  uniting  to  sing  praises  to  Jesus — and  we 
now  have  the  testimony  of  some  of  these,  who  went  from 
idle  curiosity,  that  the  simple  little  hymns  in  the  mouths  of 
children  were  instrumental  in  bringing  them  to  a  realization 
of  their  own  sins. 

"Since  these  meetings  have  ceased  the  children  incur 
public  schools  have  been  holding  daily  prayer-meetings 
during  their  intermission,  often  two  and  three  each  day, 
which  they  conduct  themselves.  This  certainly  is  sufficient 
proof  of  their  earnestness  and  sincerity. 

"  A  letter  from  Peoria,  received  a  day  or  two  ago,  states 
th&t  four  hundred  and  twenty-two  persans  united  with  the  vari- 
ous churches  in  that  city  the  last  Sahhath,  which  was  commun- 
ion day  in  several  congregations,  and  also  says  that  one 
thousand  is  not  considered  an  over-estimate  of  the  number  of 
conversions  during  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  there. 

"  For  several  days  Mr.  H.,  with  some  of  our  ministers 
and  Christians,  has  been  visiting  our  jail,  singing,  praying, 
and  conversing  with  the  prisoners  there,  and  we  received 
the  encouraging  report  yesterday,  that  out  of  sixty-three 
who  were  confined  there,  thirty-seven  were  rejoicing  in  their 
Saviour.  All  the  inmates  of  the  prison  except  three  or  four, 
seemed  anxious,  and  desired  the  prayers  of  Christians.  We 
feel  assured  they  will  not  plead  in  vain,  and  that  ere  many 
days  they  too  will  be  joiniDg  in  grateful  songs  of  praise. 

GREAT    OPEN-AIR   RELIGIOUS    MEETING. 

"  The  fact  that  four  or  five  thousand  in  that  city  of  but 
sixteen  thousand  population  were  in  attendance,  shows  the 


436  THE  HAEVEST  WOEK 

extent  aud  depth  of  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  now  in 
progress  in  that  city. 

"  The  fact,  too,  that  even  after  one  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
long  sermons  in  the  open  air,  the  Hall  of  Representatives 
was  at  once  filled  with  an  'inquiry-meeting,'  shows  that 
many  must  have  been  led  by  the  Spirit  to  ask,  *  What  must 
I  do  to  be  saved  ? ' 

**  "Would  that  all  over  our  land  we  might,  in  the  secular 
press,  read  of  such  efforts  to  reach  the  masses  in  the  open 
air.  How  else  are  the  thousands  who  never  frequent  the 
house  of  God  to  be  brought  within  sound  of  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation  ? 

* '  A  gentleman  of  this  city,  a  man  of  culture  and  refine- 
ment, said  as  he  arose  that  he  had  scoffed  and  ridiculed  the 
meetings  ever  since  they  began,  even  being  offended  at  his 
wife  for  the  interest  she  manifested  in  his  welfare  ;  and  he 
further  said  he  continued  his  opposition  until  about  ten 
o'clock  Thursday  evening,  when  those  who  heard  Mr.  Ham- 
mond at  that  time  will  remember  the  change  in  his  subject 
from  '  The  Wages  of  Sin  is  Death  '  to  '  The  Gift  of  God  is 
Eternal  Life.'  At  this  point  the  Spirit  of  God  seemed  to 
touch  his  heart,  and  it  was  melted  in  view  of  the  love  of 
Christ  to  him." 

PREPARATION    NEEDED. 

It  is  hoped  that  this  book  will  be  used  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  in  preparing  the  way  for  evangehsts 
and  ministers  in  many  places.  With  this  end  in 
view  we  venture  to  give  the  following  letter,  from 
some  of  the  ministers  in  Peoria,  to  the  pastors  of 
the  churches  in  Springfield  : 

"  Peoria,  III.,  March  30,  1866. 
"  Dear  Brethren  :  The  undersigned,  pastors  of  churches 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  427 

in  this  city,  haviog  enjoyed  the  assistance  of  Rev.  Edward 
Payson  Hammond  during  the  past  four  weeks,  in  connec- 
tion with  a  most  remarkable  religious  awakening,  and  learn- 
ing that  he  is  about  to  visit  your  city,  desire  to  express  to 
you  our  estimate  of  Brother  Hammond's  character  and 
labors. 

"  We  regard  Mr.  Hammond  as  eminently  fitted  for  the 
work  of  an  evangelist.  A  thorough  education  and  a  long 
experience,  combined  with  sound  judgment  and  true  piety, 
qualify  him  for  the  line  of  effort  in  which  he  has  been  sig- 
nally blessed.  We  have  learned  to  love  him,  and  to  rejoice 
and  thank  God  for  his  instrumentality. 

''  You  will  permit  us,  dear  brethren,  to  express  the  earnest 
hope  that,  in  view  of  the  limited  period  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
■tay  in  your  city,  you  will  put  special  emphasis  on  the  neces- 
sity of  active  effoi't  lyy  Christians  in  the  inquiry -Tneetiiigs. 
From  what  we  have  observed  here,  we  fear  that  several  days 
will  be  partially  lost  to  you  unless  you  secure  the  immediate 
co-operation  of  a  large  force  of  your  church  officers  and  mem- 
hers  who  shall  go  at  once  to  anxious  souls  and  paint  them  to  the 
Lamb  of  God. 

"Trusting  that  God  may  visit  your  city  with  a  copious 
outpouring  of  the  influences  of  the  Spirit,  we  remain. 


Your  brethren  in  Christ 


(Signed  by  the  pastors) 

A.  L.  Brooks,  etc. 

Among  the  many  remarkable  conversions  was 
that  of  Roland  Diller.  His  experience  is  narrated 
in  Mr.  Hammond's  book  on  the  '^  Conversion  of 
Children."  Three  years  had  passed  away  when 
two  ministers  came  to  Indianapolis,  where  Mr. 
Hammond  was  holding  meetings,   with  an  invita- 


428  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

tion,  asking  him  to  return  there  and  work  for  the 
Master.  They  stated  in  one  of  the  morning  meet- 
ings that  thirty-three  hundred  had  joined  the 
churches  in  and  around  Springfield,  as  the  result  of 
the  work  of  God's  Spirit  in  the  spring  of  1866. 

GIRARD,    PA. 

Rev.  H.  C.  Rowland,  after  telegraphing  and 
writing  repeatedly  with  no  encouragement,  went  to 
Springfield,  111.,  five  hundred  miles  distant,  say- 
ing :  ^^  I  shall  remain  here  till  you  return  with 
me."  He  did  so  and  took  Mr.  Hammond  back. 
He  could  only  remain  a  week,  but  oh  what  wonders 
of  grace  God  wrought  in  that  time  !  Two  years  ago 
a  minister  in  one  of  Mr.  Hammond's  meetings  in 
Corning,  Pa. ,  said  that  out  of  a  population  of  two 
thousand  there  was  reason  to  believe  some  four 
hundred  were  converted — most  of  them  during 
that  memorable  week. 

The  membership  of  Mr.  Rowland's  church  was 
doubled,  he  said,  "  Not  only  Girard,  but  a  wide 
range  of  territory  shared  in  this  time  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

MARRIAGE. 

On  the  24rth  of  May,  1866,  in  Towanda,  Pa.,  Mr. 
Hammond  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  Overton, 
youngest  daughter  of  Edward  Overton,  Esq.  She 
returned  with  him  to  Girard,  Peoria,  and  Spring- 
field.    They  then  went  to  Bockford,  111.,  where  a 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIKIT.  429 

State  Sun  day- School  Convention  was  in  progress. 
Each  afternoon  the  convention  adjourned  to  attend 
a  mass  meeting  conducted  by  Mr.  Hammond  for 
the  immediate  conversion  of  the  old  and  young. 
Yery  many  during  those  three  days  were  led  to 
Christ,  but  a  most  widespread  awakening  followed 
through  the  labors  of  the  workers  from  all  parts  of 
the  State,  ^vho  were  many  of  them  for  the  first 
time  initiated  into  the  work  of  leading  weeping 
sinners  to  Christ.  Numerous  revivals  were  re- 
ported  as  the   result — one  as  far  south  as  Cairo. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  with  relatives  at  his 
home  in  Yernon,  Conn. ,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond 
started  for  Palestine  on  board  the  Hibemia,  a 
steamer  afterward  lost  off  the  coast  of  Ireland. 
Some  of  our  readers  may  have  seen  at  the  Centen- 
nial a  mammoth  painting  by  one  of  the  survivors, 
of  the  ^ '  Foundering  of  the  Hibernia. ' '  This  oc- 
curred in  a  storm  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond 
encountered  on  their  return  to  this  country  two 
years  and  a  half  from  the  time  they  left  New  York 
for  the  Holy  Land. 

An  absence  of  live  years  from  Scotland  made  it 
pleasant  to  meet  hosts  of  dearly  loved  friends  of 
former  days.  After  a  few  reunion  services  they 
proceeded  on  their  way  to  London  and  Paris. 
There  they  joined  their  old  friends,  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Budington,  of  Brooklyn,  with  whom  they  travelled 
for  four  months.     After  spending  a  few  weeks  in 


430  THE   HAEVEST  WORK 

Switzerland  they  crossed  the  Splugen  Pass  to 
Milan,  thence  to  V^enice.  After  a  week  in  that 
delightful  city  they  crossed  the  Adriatic  to  Trieste, 
from  there  to  Yienna,  where  a  week  was  passed 
very  pleasantly. 

The  party  intended  to  proceed  to  Jerusalem  by 
way  of  Constantinople  ;  they  therefore  took  steamer 
down  the  Danube.  Mr.  Hammond  was  delighted 
with  the  thought  of  passing  through  Bulgaria, 
where  for  many  years  he  cherished  the  purpose  of 
spending  his  life  as  a  foreign  missionary.  But  at 
Pesth  they  received  a  telegram  informing  them  that 
before  seeing  Constantinople  they  would  be  com- 
pelled to  spend  eight  days  in  a  loathsome  quarantine 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Daimbe  River,  from  which  if 
they  attempted  to  escape  they  would  be  ' '  carefully 
shot  and  carelessly  buried."  They  therefore 
turned  back  to  Yienna,  and  from  thence  to  Saltz- 
burg,  where  they  spent  the  night  at  the  same  hotel 
with  Mr.  Motley,  the  author  of  the  "  Dutch  Re- 
public." After  a  night  at  Innspruck  the  party 
took  carriage  over  the  Brenner  Pass  to  Italy.  At 
Yerona  they  visited  the  amphitheatre,  where,  in  the 
presence  of  twenty  thousand,  gladiators  fought  in 
days  of  yore.  After  visiting  Bologna,  and  other 
cities  of  classic  interest,  they  went  down  the  eastern 
coast  of  Italy  to  Brindisi. 

Mr.  Hammond  wrote  a  series  of  letters  to  the 
New  York   Evangelist,  giving  an  account   of  his 


OP  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  431 

journey  to  tlie  Holy  Land,  from  which  we  select  the 
following  : 

^'  We  left  Brindisi  in  a  fine  Italian  steamer. 
After  we  had  passed  by  the  old  pier  built  by  Julius 
Caesar,  we  found  the  sea  quite  rough. 

^'  We  had  seen  in  the  harbor  some  of  the  same 
sort  of  galleys  as  Yirgil  sailed  in,  when  he  made 
his  last  sea  voyage  from  Greece  to  Italy.  When 
we  found  the  sea  so  rough,  we  did  not  wonder  that, 
tossed  about  for  days  in  a  Kttle  boat,  not  much 
larger  than  an  American  yacht,  he  died  soon  after 
reaching  Brundusium.  We  thought,  too,  of  Paul's 
sea  voyage  in  the  same  sort  of  a  '  ship,'  when  he 
says  :  '  But  when  the  fourteenth  night  was  come, 
as  we  were  driven  up  and  down  in  Adria,  about 
midnight  the  shipmen  deemed  that  they  drew  near 
to  some  country. ' 

*'  The  winds  soon  lulled,  and  our  voyage  of 
three  days  to  Alexandria  was  very  pleasant.  Cavre 
Sebastiano  Fenzi,  from  Florence,  told  us  that 
eleven  hundred  ^  communes  '  or  towns,  out  of  eigh- 
teen thousand  in  the  south  of  Italy,  had  no  roads  to 
them,  only  bridle-paths  ;  and  that,  too,  in  the  most 
fertile  part  of  Italy. 

"  I  began  to  tell  you  of  the  wonderful  things  we 
have  seen  in  this  classic  land  of  Egypt.  The  tiring 
of  a  cannon  announced  our  approach,  and  soon  our 
steamboat  was  surrounded  with  little  boats,  rowed 
by  fantastically-dressed  ebony  natives,  all  eager  to 


433  THE  HAKVEST   WORK 

get  us  as  passengers,  that  they  might  increase  their 
supply  of  hackshish.  It  was  no  easy  matter  to  fight 
our  way  through  turbaned,  clamorous  Arabs,  to  the 
custom-house.  Sometimes  we  had  to  stop,  and  all 
join  in  a  hearty  laugh,  while  those  with  whom  we 
had  bargained  were  telKng  us  the  most  palpable 
falsehoods. 

''  In  a  drive  to  the  hotel  we  saw  many  strange 
sights.  But  amid  all  the  hubbub  and  excitement 
incident  to  the  arrival  of  a  steamer,  the  sedate 
camels,  '  the  ships  of  the  desert ^'^  as  they  slowly 
passed  us,  appeared  entirely  unmoved.  While  the 
ragged  boys,  with  their  donkeys,  were  flying  about 
in  all  directions,  the  calm,  patient,  and  we  might 
almost  say  dignified,  camels  looked  upon  the  scene 
as  an  every-day  occurrence. 

'^  Alexandria  has  a  population  of  about  200,000  ; 
but,  as  you  walk  about  the  streets,  you  would  think 
that  the  native  population  were  nearly  all  men  and 
boys.  1  have  just  laid  down  my  pen  and  been  to 
the  window  of  our  '  Hotel  d' Europe,'  which  is 
situated  in  front  of  a  large  square,  where  hundreds 
pass  and  repass  continually  ;  but  1  have  seen  only 
one  native  woman,  and  she,  of  course,  was  veiled. 

''  The  women  of  the  better  class  on  the  streets 
are  covered  from  head  to  foot  with  white  muslin. 
They  look  strangely  enough  as  they  waddle  along 
in  great  yellow  boots,  with  their  black  eyes  peering 
at  you,  as  if  amused  at  your  astonishment.     One, 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  433 

riding  upon  a  donkey,  seemed  to  join  in  our 
laugliter,  and  really  bowed  to  us. 

'•  A  very  intelligent  dragoman,  who  wishes  to 
conduct  our  party  through  Palestine,  told  us  this 
morning  that  his  wife  never  went  out  of  doors,  ex- 
cept to  the  mosque,  which  was  only  a  few  steps 
from  their  house  ;  she  had  never  seen  the  beautiful 
fountains  in  the  square  where  we  were  standing. 

^'  Often  have  1  been  led  to  exclaim,  as  I  have 
seen  the  degradation  of  woman  in  this  heathen, 
Mohammedan  land  :  ^  Oh !  how  much  woman  in 
Christian  countries  owes  to  Christ.^  Not  to  Chris- 
tianity in  the  abstract,  but  to  the  fact  that  she  lives 
in  a  land  where  it  is  known  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  came  into  this  world  and  died  to  save  sin- 
ners. Where  this  fact  has  never  been  declared, 
woman  is  but  a  slave  to  the  brutal  passions  of  man  ; 
but  where  the  light  of  the  gospel  has  penetrated, 
there  she  is  elevated  to  an  equality  with  man. 

^'  As  we  walked  along  one  of  the  streets  yester- 
day, we  saw  what  at  first  sight  resembled  a  very 
FAT  BLACK  PIG,  Carried  by  a  donkey.  But  a  closer 
examination  showed  us  that  it  was  only  an  Oriental 
leather  '  bottle. '  Though  filled  with  water  instead 
of  wine,  still  it  brought  to  mind  the  words  of  Christ 
in  Matt.  9  :  17  :  '  Neither  do  men  put  new  wine 
into  old  bottles  ;  else  the  bottles  break,  and  the 
wine  runneth  out,  and  the  bottles  perish  ;  but  they 
put  new  wine  into  new  bottles,  and   both  are  pre- 


434  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

served.'    These  '  bottles,'  of  course,  were  filled  with 
the  sweet  water  of  the  Nile. 

^'  It  led  me  to  think  of  one  of  the  many  reasons 
why  the  Nile  is  all  in  all  to  the  Egyptian.  Not 
only  would  he  thirst  and  die  without  it,  but  this 
fertile  valley,  with  the  annual  overflow  of  its 
waters,  would  soon  forget  to  bring  forth  its  life- 
giving  treasures.  It  is  not  only  one  of  the  indis- 
pensable agents  in  the  production  of  fruits  and 
grain,  but  it  also  transports  them  to  the  sea.  It 
connects  far  distant  countries,  and  thus  the  mis- 
sionary is  enabled  to  penetrate,  with  the  light  of 
the  gospel,  into  the  felt  darkness  of  heathenism. 
Its  source  has  for  ages  been  a  mystery,  but  the 
millions  whom  it  has  blessed  have  not  for  this 
reason  refused  its  precious  gifts.  Who  can  help 
thinking  of  those  who,  because  of  the  mysteries 
connected  with  the  incarnation  of  the  Son,  have 
refused  to  drink  of  the  '  river  of  life,'  '  the  streams 
whereof  shall  make  glad  the  city  of  God '  ?  His 
words  are  :  'I  come  forth  from  the  Father. '  Ah, 
how  true  that,  as  the  Nile,  though  flowing  through 
a  parched  desert,  '  maketh  it  to  rejoice  and  blossom 
as  the  rose  ;'  so,  where  the  streams  of  salvation 
take  their  course,  there  the  '  lame  man  shall  leap  as 
an  hart,  and  the  tongue  of  the  dumb  shall  sing  ; 
for  in  the  wilderness  shall  waters  break  out,  and 
streams  in  the  desert,  and  the  parched  ground  shall 
become  a  pool,  and  the  thirsty  land  springs  of  water. ' 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  435 

''  Yes  ;  the  souls  which  had  never  before  brought 
forth  any  of  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  shall  wel- 
come the  overflowing  of  the  riches  of  Christ  and 
thus  learn  what  it  is  to  '  bear  much  fruit '  to  the 
glory  of  the  Father.  Such,  too,  at  length,  like  a 
'  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe, '  shall,  on  the  bosom  of 
the  Saviour,  be  transported  to  the  sea  of  heavenly 
rest. 

*'  A  little  beyond  where  we  saw  the  leather 
bottle,  we  found  Cleopatra's  Needle.  Our  guide 
told  us  that  she  ordered  it  to  be  brought  from 
Heliopolis  near  Cairo,  where  it  had  stood  for  cen- 
turies. The  one  which  is  now  standing  we 
measured,  and  found  to  be  twenty-eight  feet  in 
circumference,  and  it  is  seventy -one  feet  in  height. 
Pompey's  Pillar  is  also  a  monolith.  It  is  ninety- 
one  feet  in  height  and  thirty  in  circumference.  It 
was  not  called  after  Pompey,  Julius  Caesar's  great 
rival,  but  after  the  name  of  the  Egyptian  who  was 
employed  to  rear  it,  in  a.d.  269. 

*'  It  has  been  hard  to  realize  as  we  have  moved 
in  and  about  the  modern  city,  that  we  were  walking 
over  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  emporium  of  the  East, 
which  was  at  one  time  the  centre  of  learning  and 
civilization — that  here  St.  Mark  preached  the  gos- 
pel, and  it  is  believed  suffered  martyrdom,  and  that 
'  Apollos,  an  eloquent  man  and  mighty  in  the 
Scriptures,'  first  saw  the  light  of  day  here  and 
played  on  these  sandy  shores.     But  we  tried,  in 


436  THE  HAEVEST  WORK 

imagination,  to  repeople  the  great  city  of  600,000, 
surrounded  with  walls  fifteen  miles  in  circum- 
ference, and  containing  a  library  of  700,000 
volumes.  The  words  of  the  victorious  Saracen 
general  to  his  chief  helped  us  to  complete  the 
picture  in  our  own  minds.  He  says  :  ^  It  is  impos- 
sible for  me  to  enumerate  its  riches  and  beauty,  and 
I  shall  content  myself  by  observing  that  it  contains 
four  thousand  palaces,  four  thousand  baths,  four 
thousand  theatres,  twelve  thousand  shops  and  forty 
thousand  tributary  Jews. '  Yet  the  words  of  Ezekiel 
spoken  more  than  twenty-four  hundred  years  ago 
are  fulfilled  with  regard  to  this  and  other  cities  in 
Egypt  :  *  And  the  land  of  Egypt  shall  be  desolate 
and  waste  ;  and  they  shall  know  that  1  am  the 
Lord  ;  because  he  hath  said.  The  river  is  mine,  and 
1  have  made  it.  Behold,  therefore,  1  am  against 
thee,  and  against  thy  rivers.  And  I  will  make  the 
land  of  Egypt  desolate  in  the  midst  of  the  countries 
that  are  desolate,  and  her  cities  among  the  cities 
that  are  laid  waste  shall  be  desolate.  '  Ezek. 
29  :  9-12." 

At  Beyrout  they  tarried  about  two  weeks.  Rev. 
Dr.  Jessup,  from  the  United  States,  and  Mrs. 
Thompson,  a  missionary  from  England,  got  together 
all  the  children  from  their  schools,  and  Mr.  Ham- 
mond addressed  them.  Soon  a  deep  interest  was 
manifested  and  numbers  professed  to  find  the 
Saviour. 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  437 

Greeks  and  Moslems,  Jews  and  Maronites,  and 
Druses  from  Mount  Lebanon  sat  side  by  side  and 
listened  with  moistened  eye  to  the  ^'  old,  old  story 
of  Jesus  and  His  love.' ' 

The  ride  over  Mount  Lebanon  to  Damascus  was 
greatly  enjoyed  by  the  party.  Damascus  is  called 
by  the  Orientals  *"'  a  pearl  surrounded  by  emeralds." 
Approaching  from  Mount  Lebanon  the  view  is 
enchanting.  '■^  One  of  the  most  magnificent  pros- 
pects in  the  world,"  says  Addison  (''  Damascus  and 
Palmyra,"  vol.  ii.  p.  92),  ''burst  upon  my  sight : 
like  the  first  view  of  Constantinople,  it  is  unique. 
We  were  looking  down  from  an  elevation  of  a  thou- 
sand feet  upon  a  vast  plain,  bordered  in  the  dis- 
tance by  blue  mountains,  and  occupied  by  a  rich, 
luxuriant  forest  of  the  walnut,  the  fig,  the  pome- 
granate, the  plum,  the  apricot,  the  citron,  the 
locust,  the  pear,  and  the  apple,  forming  a  waving 
grove  of  more  than  fifty  miles  in  circuit  ;  possess- 
ing a  vast  variety  of  tint,  a  peculiar  density  and 
luxuriance  of  foliage,  and  a  wildly-picturesque 
form,  from  the  branches  of  the  loftier  trees  throw- 
ing themselves  up  above  a  rich  underwood  of  pome- 
granates, citrons,  and  oranges,  with  their  yellow, 
green,  and  brown  leaves  ;  and  then  conceive  our 
sensations,  to  see  grandly  rising  in  the  distance, 
above  this  vast  superficies  of  rich  luxuriant  foliage, 
the  swelling  leaden  domes,  the  gilded  crescents,  and 
the  marble   minarets   of  Damascus  ;  while  in  the 


438  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

centre  of  all,  winding  toward  the  city,  ran  the  main 
stream  of  the  River  Barrada.  As  we  descended, 
here  and  there  the  openings  in  the  trees  displayed 
little  patches  of  green  verdure  or  a  glimpse  of 
richly- cultivated  gardens  :  the  whole  of  the  rich 
tract  was  surrounded  by  a  wall,  beyond  which  all 
was  arid  and  desert." 

In  this  delightful  spot  the  party  remained  a  few 
days  forming  numerous  pleasant  acquaintances,  in- 
cluding Abdel  Kader,  who  defended  the  Christians 
when  some  six  thousand  men  and  women  were  cru- 
elly put  to  death  in  the  plains  of  Syria,  and  also  the 
American  Consul,  Dr.  Meshaker,  an  Arab,  and  yet  a 
Christian,  led  to  the  Saviour  by  Dr,  King  of  Athens. 

It  is  impossible  in  this  book  to.give  more  than  an 
outline  of  their  journey  through  the  Holy  Land. 
Mr.  Hammond  has  given  an  account  of  it  in  his 
''Sketch  of  Palestine."  Rev.  Robert  Knox, 
D.D.,  in  the  introduction  says  : 

''  These  sketches  will  be  valued  by  Christian 
readers,  because  of  the  fulness  and  frequency  with 
which  the  precious  gospel  is  set  forth.  Bible  lands 
are  often  visited  by  those  who  have  no  hving  faith 
in  the  Son  of  God.  They  are  drawn  there  by  other 
considerations  than  love  to  Him.  How  barren  and 
meaningless  must  be  their,  reflections  compared  with 
the  man  whose  heart  is  full  of  adoring  love  to  the 
Saviour  ! 

''  What  can  the  mere  man  of  letters,  or  the  anti- 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  439 

quarian  or  sentimentalist,  enjoy  in  a  visit  to 
Bethlehem,  or  Gethsemane,  or  Calvary,  or  the 
place  where  Jesus  was  laid,  compared  with  the  man 
who  can  say,  and  is  not  ashamed  to  say,  '  He  loved 
me,  and  gave  Himself  for  me  '  ? 

^'  The  reader  is  not  treated  here  to  cold  criticism 
on  a  point  of  disputed  topography.  The  heart  of 
the  author  is  too  much  filled  with  love  to  Him 
whose  footprints  made  all  these  places  sacred,  to 
linger  over  such  questions,  and  hence  we  find  him, 
ever  and  anon,  breaking  forth  in  the  language  of 
prayer  and  praise,  or  commending  to  others  the 
Saviour  so  dear  to  himself. 

''  None  but  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  Mr. 
Hammond's  history  will  think  it  strange  that  he 
should  have  held  special  meetings  for  children  in 
Jerusalem  and  other  cities  of  the  East.  These  lov- 
ing labors  have  been  so  accompanied  with  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  have  no  doubt  in  the 
great  day  tens  of  thousands  of  children  will  rise  up 
and  call  him  blessed." 

Thirteen  men  and  eighteen  horses  were  ready  on 
their  return  to  Beirout  to  take  them  through 
Palestine.  Michael  Hany  was  their  dragoman. 
They  visited  all  the  chief  places  of  interest,  going 
as  far  south  as  Hebron. 

In  Jerusalem  Mr.  Hammond  held  a  few  gospel 
meetings.  He  found  one  hundred  boys  who  could 
speak   English    quite   well.      Some    of  these  it  is 


440  THE   HARVEST    WORK 

hoped  gave  themselves  to  Christ.  The  meetings 
were  inaugurated  by  Bishop  Gobat  of  the  Church 
of  England.  At  a  little  gathering  at  the  bishop's 
palace  one  evening,  Mrs.  Gobat  presented  Mr. 
Hammond  with  a  crown  of  thorns,  resembling,  no 
doubt,  the  one  our  Saviour  wore.  It  was  her  desire 
that  the  sight  of  this  crown  of  thorns  in  other  lands 
might  lead  some  careless  ones  to  think  of  Him  who 
bled  and  died  for  us  on  the  cross. 

Mr.  Hammond  when  holding  meetings  in  London, 
and  a  few  other  places,  has  shown  this,  and  some 
have  testified  that  the  sight  of  it  has  convinced  them 
of  their  sinfulness  in  not  loving  Him  who  gave 
Himself  for  us. 

In  the  garden  of  Gethsemane  Mr.  Hammond 
composed  this  hymn,  which  has  frequently  been 
sung  in  his  meetings.  Some  have  attributed  to  it 
their  conversion. 

My  Jesus,  I  would  ne'er  forget 
That  hour  I  spent  with  Thee  ; 

When  there  I  saw  Thy  bloody  sweat 
In  dark  Gethsemane. 

'Twas  in  that  olive  press  I  felt 
That  Thou  didst  bleed  for  me  ; 

Alas  !  how  great  I  saw  my  guilt, 
While  in  Gethsemane. 

I  thought  of  how  thy  heart  did  throb, 

While  all  Thine  own  did  flee, 
And  left  Thee  with  the  cruel  mob 

In  sad  Gethsemane. 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  441 

'Twas  there  I  felt  my  guilt  and  shame 

In  oft  forsaking  Thee  ; 
How  precious  was  Thy  very  name 

In  dear  Gethsemane. 

Should  e'er  our  love  to  Thee  grow  cold. 

And  we  forgetful  be, 
We'll  call  to  mind  Thy  love  untold 

While  in  Gethsemane. 

In  his  sermons  frequent  allusion  is  made  to  his 
visit  to  ' '  the  place  where  He  was  crucified. ' '  It 
was  no  doubt  God's  hand  that  led  the  evangelist 
to  these  sacred  localities  that  he  might  with  more  ten- 
derness speak  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ. 

Keturning  by  way  of  Jaffa  to  Egypt,  they  went 
up  the  Nile  as  far  as  Cairo  and  the  Pyramids  ;  they 
had  much  pleasure  in  visiting  the  missionaries  from 
Scotland  and  the  United  States. 

After  spending  a  few  days  at  Messina,  Sicily, 
passing  Mount  Etna,  they  entered  the  Bay  of 
Naples,  on  the  shore  of  which  they  lingered  about 
two  weeks.  While  there  they  conducted  crowded 
evangelistic  meetings  day  after  day.  Lord  Kintore 
from  Scotland  took  part  in  them,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
work  of  God's  Spirit,  leading  many  souls  to  Christ. 
Touching  experiences  from  young  converts  were 
given. 

mTEKPEETERS. 

At  Florence,  evangelistic  meetings  were  held  on 
two  sides  of  the  city,  with  quite  different  results. 


442  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

The  cause  was  apparent.  In  both  eases  the  char- 
acter of  the  audiences  was  similar,  but  in  the  one 
case  there  was  a  clear-headed  but  cold-hearted  in- 
terpreter, in  the  other  the  interpreter  seemed  to  feel 
every  word  he  took  from  the  Hps  of  the  speaker. 
At  times  as  he  described  the  sufferings  of  Christ, 
and  explained  how  he  took  our  place,  "  wounded 
for  our  transgressions,"  tears  stood  in  his  eyes,  and 
all  felt  the  truth  of  the  words  spoken.  Paul  and 
Barnabas  in  the  temple  of  Iconium  ''  so  spoke  that  a 
great  multitude  believed."  So  it  was  in  Florence. 
Ah,  yes  ;  men  must  feel  the  burden  of  the  divine 
message  if  they  expect  others  to  do  the  same. 

Something  like  two  hundred  professed  conversion 
under  the  tearful  words  of  that  tender-hearted  in- 
terpreter, but  Mr.  Hammond  says  that  not  one  that 
he  knew  of  on  the  other  side  of  the  city  came  to 
Christ. 

In  Paris,  meetings  similar  to  those  in  Florence 
were  held,  with  much  the  same  results. 

SABBATH -SCHOOLS    IN    EUROPE. 

Mr.  Albert  Woodruff  and  family,  of  Brooklyn, 
started  for  a  pleasure  trip  abroad,  but  finding  such  a 
destitution  of  Sabbath-schools  they  gave  their  time 
to  establishing  these  in  different  countries.  Just  be- 
fore Mr.  Hammond  left  New  York,  Mr.  Woodruff 
asked  him  to  try  and  do  for  the  children  in  Europe 
what  Keginald  Radcliff  did  for  the  adults  through 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  443 

an  vnteryreter.  Mr.  Hammond,  therefore,  made  the 
attempt,  and  found  that  when  he  could  get  an  in- 
Urpreter,  who  was  a  godly  man^  ready  to  throw  his 
whole  soul  into  the  work^  the  children  and  adults 
could  he  reached  and'  led  to  Christ.  The  gospel 
was,  therefore,  often  preached  through  Palestine . 
and  in  other  lands,  sometimes  in  the  open  air,  and 
it  is  believed  much  good  was  done  even  where  the 
stay  was  so  short  the  harvest  could  not  be  fully 
gathered.  Another  cause  of  these  meetings  being 
held  in  Jerusalem  and  other  places,  was  owing  to 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  Aaron  Coe,  of  Newark,  going  in 
advance  of  the  party  and  awakening  an  interest,  so 
that  in  some  places  as  soon  as  Dr.  Budington  and 
Mr.  Hammond  arrived,  the  people  were  ready  to 
say  in  the  words  of  Cornelius  (Acts  11  :  33),  ^^  Now 
are  we  all  here  present  before  God,  to  hear  all  things 
that  are  commanded  thee  of  God." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Annan,  Scotland— Carlisle,  Eng.— Paley  Castle— Gordon  Fur- 
long—"We've  believed  for  a  long  time" — "  I  forgot  about 
the  stories"— Cardiff,  Wales— Weston-Super-Mare  —  George 
Miiller's — Wm.  Bradbury — Sixteen  Weeks  in  London — 
Young  Men's  Meeting — Meeting  at  Baptist  Noel's— Meeting 
for  Young  Ladies — Surray  Chapel — Testimony  from  Mon- 
treal—C.  C.  Kimball— Children's  Special  Service— Mission- 
Work  permanent— Samuel  Tyler— John  Sands— Baptist 
Noel's  Soiree— Reports— Meeting  at  Spurgeon's  Tabernacle— 
G.  W.  Mears— "Fifty  Thousand"— Shepherd's  Dog— De- 
pendence upon  the  Spirit— Gen.  Booth— St.  Louis— Com- 
modore Davidson. 

ANNAN. 

The  first  field  of  labor  in  Scotland  was  Annan, 
where  Mr.  Hammond  met  many  whom  he  had 
fointed  to  Christ  in  1861.  He  was  told  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Gardner,  of  the  U.  P.  Church,  that  some  had 
made  the  estimate  that,  as  the  result  of  those  re- 
markable meetings  in  Annan  in  the  town  and  in  the 
vicinity  six  years  before,  it  was  believed  that  no  less 
than  THREE  THOUSAND  wcrc  hopefully  led  to  Christ. 
Yet  Annan  is  a  little  place  of  only  five  or  six  thou- 
sand. 


THE    HARVEST   WORK.  445 

**  A  convert  of  1861,"  writing  to  the  Christian, 
says  : 

"Though  but  four  meetings  have  been  held  for  adults, 
the  interest  is  very  deep.  One  of  the  ministers  remarked 
that  no  meeting  we  ever  had,  even  in  1861,  was  more  solemn 
and  impressive  than  the  one  held  last  evening  ;  and,  had  the 
same  number  of  impenitent  persons  been  present  as  used  to 
assemble  in  Mr.  Hammond's  meetings  in  1861,  no  doubt  the 
results  would  have  been  the  same.  Hundreds  who,  in  those 
days,  used  to  be  seen  weeping  for  their  sins,  now  appear  at 
the  meetings  with  happy  faces,  and  during  these  six  years 
have  maintained  a  consistent  Christian  walk.  The  church 
was  full  three  quarters  of  an  hour  before  meeting  time,  and 
when  the  hour  came  every  foot  of  space  was  occupied.  At 
least  eighteen  hundred  people  were  crowded  into  the 
church.  Many  were  anxious  about  their  souls.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond spoke  for  upward  of  two  hours,  yet  the  impression 
deepened  to  its  close.  Though  it  was  a  late  hour  when  we 
left,  the  under  part  of  the  building  was  still  filled  with  in- 
quirers. 

"Many  people  came  to  the  meeting  from  ten  or  twelve 
miles  round.  On  Saturday  evening,  a  large  meeting  was 
held  of  those  who  believed  they  came  to  Christ  during  Mr. 
H.'s  previous  labors  here.  The  ministers  testify  that  those 
who  have  since  joined  the  churches  here  have  held  out  as 
well  as  any  converts  they  ever  knew.  Thus  the  evidence 
has  been  most  pleasing  that  it  was  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  blessing  the  preaching  of  Christ  and  Him  crucified." 

CARLISLE,    ENGLAND. 

At  the  invitation  of  Rev.  William  Eeid,  Gordon 
Furlong,  and  others  in  Carlisle,  our  evangelist  went 
to  this  city  one  hundred  miles  south  of  Edinburgh. 


446  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

It  contains  a  cathedral,  of  which  Paley  was  arch- 
deacon, and  the  castle  founded  in  1092  and  in  which 
Mary  Queen  of  Scots  was  confined.  Crowded  daily 
meetings  were  held  for  three  weeks,  and  many  pro- 
fessed to  find  Christ. 

Gordon  Furlong,  formerly  a  lawyer,  but  now  for 
many  years  a  useful  evangelist,  resided  in  Carhsle  at 
the  time.  Returning  from  an  afternoon  children's 
meeting,  his  little  daughter,  who,  it  was  believed,  had 
for  some  time  been  a  Christian,  said  :  ''  It  was  very 
nice  to  see  them  weeping  for  their  sins,  wasnH  it, 
jpajpaf  hut  it  wasnH  for  us ^  for  we  have  helieved 
a  long  time. ' ' 

A  child  there  was  asked  which  of  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's stories  she  liked  best,  and  replied,  "  Ah,  I 
forgot  all  aho^it  the  stories,  I  was  thinhing  so  much 
ahout  Jesus. ' ' 

CardiflP,  Wales,  for  three  weeks  enjoyed  union 
meetings,  crowding  the  largest  hall  in  the  city. 
Hundreds  of  all  ages  professed  conversion.  The 
following  letter  appeared  in  a  long  account  of  the 
work  in  a  London  paper.  I  extract  the  following 
from  a  letter  by  a  minister's  wife  in  Cardiff,  where 
Mr.  Hammond  had  been  laboring  just  before  com- 
ing to  Weston  : 

"  Believers  have  been  blessed  and  abundantly  refreshed. 
This  I  know,  and  I  praise  God  I  have  shared  largely  in  the 
blessing,  and  many  have  been  truly  converted  to  God.  I  so 
continually  hear  of  cases  that  it  makes  me  sing  for  joy  and 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  447 

praise  our  gracious  God  ;  and  how  can  it  be  otherwise  ? 
Jesus  so  unceasingly  '  lifted  up  '  must,  does  '  draw  '  souls 
'  unto  Him.'  If  we  do  not  see  it  as  we  could  desire,  yet  we 
must  trust  for  it.  I  for  one  most  heartily  and  implicitly 
believe  it,  and  give  Him  glory  for  it.  A  dear  brother  in 
Jesus,  a  day  or  two  since,  was  telling  me  how  he  had  re- 
joiced in  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  here.  '  It  was,'  he  said, 
'  so  exceedingly  precious  ;  how  he  held  up  Jesus  !  Oh, '  said 
he,  '  it  delighted  my  soul,  and  I  know  of  much  blessing  as 
the  result.'  " 

Weston-Super-Mare  was  tlie  next  field  of  labor. 
Rev.  Dr.  "Walker  and  Lord  Cavan  were  the  leaders 
in  the  movement ;  but  all  the  churches  united  with 
these  Church  of  England  brethren. 

THE    CHANGE. 

*'  A  little  girl  attended  Mr.  Hammond's  first  meeting,  and 
at  the  tea-table  at  home  related  what  she  had  heard  about 
Jesus'  love  for  the  children  ;  something  in  this  recital  was 
carried  home  to  the  heart  of  an  elder  sister  present,  who 
bad  been  hitherto  quite  unconcerned  about  her  soul's  wel- 
fare. On  Good  Friday  she  went  to  Mr.  Hammond's  meet- 
ing at  the  Assembly  Rooms,  but  was  so  distressed  in  mind 
she  could  not  remain.  Knowing  nothing  of  this,  a  lady  felt 
constrained  to  go  down  into  the  street,  when  she  met  this 
girl,  and  after  asking  some  unimportant  question,  inquired 
if  she  had  been  to  the  meeting  in  the  Assembly  Rooms 
near  at  hand.  She  looked  at  the  lady,  and  said,  '  Have 
you  ?  '  '  Yes,'  was  the  answer  ;  and  then  very  earnestly  she 
asked,  '  May  I  walk  with  you  ;  I  want  some  one  to  speak 
to.'  And  as  they  walked  along  she  told  the  lady  the 
above,  and  much  besides,  showing  how  God  works  accord- 
ing to  His  own  mighty  power.     She  lamented  how  she  gave 


448  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

way  to  a  bad  temper,  and  added,  '  And  this  week  I  have 
been  worse  than  ever. '  On  the  29th  she  came  to  her  friend 
with  a  face  beaming  with  joy,  expressive  of  the  fact  that 
her  troubled  soul  had  obtained  peace  through  believing  in 
Jesus.  This  young  girl,  with  others  to  whom  I  have  spoken 
closely,  express  their  own  marvel  at  the  change  in  them- 
selves— the  change  in  their  desires  and  hopes,  in  their 
temptations,  and  abounding  joy  ;  also  their  desire  for  their 
friends  to  come  to  the  Saviour.  The  girl  above  named 
spoke  of  her  concern  about  her  younger  sister,  and  her  own 
struggle  the  evening  before  with  her  bad  temper,  and  how, 
by  lifting  up  her  head  and  looking  to  Jesus  for  help,  she 
had  been  strengthened. 

HAPPY    BOY. 

"  A  POOR  LITTLE  BEGGAR-BOY  Went,  a  fcw  momings  back, 
to  a  door  in  Weston  and  asked  for  '  a  bit  of  bread  ;  '  the 
servant,  a  thoughtless  girl,  refused.  '  A  cold  potato  ? ' 
'No.'  It  is  so  easy  to  say,  'Be  off  about  your  business.' 
The  little  begging  one  turned  away,  and  as  he  did  so  sang 
to  himself  in  a  low  voice, 

'  Yes,  Jesus  loves  me  ;  yes,  Jesus  loves  me  ; 
The  Bible  tells  me  so. ' 

This  went  like  a  dagger  to  that  servant's  heart  ;  she  called 
him  back,  and  gave  what  he  asked.  Now  God  has  led  her 
also  to  sing, 

'  Now  I  feel  this  heart  of  stone 
Drawn  to  love  God's  holy  Son, 
"  Lifted  up"  on  Calvary, 
Suffering  shame  and  death  for  me. 
Yes,  Jesus  loves  me  ;  yes,  Jesus  loves  me, 
The  Bible  tells  me  so.'  " 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  449 

Lord  Cavan,  who  with  Mr.  Elwin  and  others  invited 
Mr.  Hammond  to  come,  read  a  note  at  one  of  the  meetings, 
which  he  had  received  from  a  young  person,  as  follows  : 

"  '  I  attended  the  first  meeting  just  out  of  curiosity,  but 
the  wonderful  love  of  Jesus,  as  told  of  by  Mr.  Hammond, 
softened  my  hard  heart,  and  I  felt  I  was  a  great  sinner  in 
having  neglected  that  Saviour  who  had  loved  me  so  for  so 
long  ;  and  then,  when  Lord  Cavan,  in  the  second  meeting, 
read  to  me,  and  showed  me,  in  the  53d  of  Isaiah,  how 
Christ  was  bruised  for  my  sins,  and  also  in  Peter,  my  sor- 
row was  turned  into  joy.  I  found  peace  in  believing,  and 
am  only  sorry  that  I  have  lived  sixteen  years  without  having 
loved  Jesus  or  served  Him.'  " 


At  the  invitation  of  Mr.  George  Miiller  Mr. 
Hammond  held  some  impressive  services  with  the 
hundreds  of  children  gathered  at  the  orphanage  at 
Ashley  Down.  Rev.  W.  Bradbury,  of  Clifton, 
writes  in  the  London  Revival^  May  10th,  1867  : 

"  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  drove  over  to  the  orphan  houses, 
to  visit  the  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  orphans  under  the  care 
of  Mr,  George  Miiller.  He  gave  an  address  to  the  children, 
by  Mr.  Miiller' s  invitation.  A  solemn  impression  was  pro- 
duced, and  he  was  invited  to  address  the  children  again  the 
next  day.  At  the  close  of  the  address,  a  large  number  of 
the  children  were  in  tea;rs.  An  inquiry-meeting  was  held, 
and  many  were  spoken  to  personally.  It  was  deeply  affect- 
ing to  hear  their  sobbing  tones,  as  they  followed  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's address  to  the  throne  of  grace,  sentence  by  sentence. 
At  the  close  of  the  inquiry-meeting,  Mr.  Miiller  spoke  to  the 
children.  It  was  quite  evident  that  he  entered  most  heart- 
ily into  the  work  ;  and  though  he  is  a  man  of  much  belief  in 


450  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

the  power  of  prayer,  he  none  the  less  advocates  the  use  of 
earnest  means  for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  He  dwelt 
much  on  a  hymn  Mr.  Hammond  taught  them,  each  verse  of 
which  ended  with  '  just  now,'  and  urged  all  the  dear  chil- 
dren to  come  to  Jesus  this  very  moment,  and  told  them  how 
much  he  longed  that  they  should  all,  every  one  of  them, 
meet  their  dear  friend  in  heaven.  He  much  wished  that 
Mr.  Hammond  would  visit  the  other  orphan  houses  as  soon 
as  it  is  possible  for  him  to  do  so." 

SIXTEEN    WEEKS    IN    LONDON. 

At  the  invitation  of  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Baptist 
J^oel  and  others,  Mr.  Hammond  began  a  series  of 
union  services  in  the  great  metropohs.  From  the 
first  they  were  crowded,  and  many  at  once  became 
anxious  for  their  sonls'  salvation. 

AMONG    YOUNG    MEN. 

G.  Kirkham,  who  is  now  in  this  country,  thus 
speaks  of  one  service  : 

"  Sunday  Mr.  Hammond  addressed  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  At  first  he  began  in  a  quiet,  pleas- 
ant, conversational  style  ;  but  warming  with  his  subject,  his 
voice  assumed  an  earnest,  pathetic  tone  ;  and  his  matter 
being  of  a  striking  character,  touched  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers,  and  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  several  of  them  in 
a  brief  space  of  time.  His  theme  was  young  men's  notions 
of  religion,  man's  relation  to  God,  God's  right  to  make  the 
laws  and  punish  the  breakers  of  them,  the  misery  and  folly 
of  rebelling  against  God,  the  exceeding  love  of  God  in 
sending  His  Son  to  be  the  sinner's  substitute  and  surety,  the 
black  ingratitude  of  refusing  instant  submission  to  God,  the 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  451 

importance  of  at  once  accepting  the  terms  of  peace  and 
suing  for  pardon — in  fact,  instant  salvation  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  His  ilhistrations  were  chiefly  gathered 
from  his  observation  while  travelling,  and  were  remarkably 
appropriate,  and  forcibly  told.  He  prayed  at  the  close  of 
his  address,  and  then,  while  a  hymn  was  being  sung,  went 
in  among  the  young  men,  speaking  to  them  one  by  one, 
briefly  and  pointedly. 

*'  An  impression  prevails  that  Mr.  Hammond  is  only  a 
children's  preacher,  but  it  is  quite  evident  that  he  is  an 
effective  preacher  to  adults  also.  He  needs  the  prayers  of 
God's  people.     His  style  of  preaching  is  very  exhausting." 

Tiev.  C.  C.  Kiuiball,  D.D.,  says  : 

"I  have  no  doubt  that  the  Christian  people  of  Great 
Britain  would  be  gratified  to  know  that  in  America  the 
labors  of  Mr.  Hammond  have  been  followed  by  so  marked  a 
work  of  the  Spirit  among  adults  of  all  classes,  that  the  work 
among  the  children  has  a  secondary  place  in  the  estimation 
of  American  Christians.  As  an  American  minister  I  have 
been  largely  conversant  with  his  work  in  various  places  dur- 
ing the  past  five  years,  and  have  observed  in  several  large 
cities  the  most  gratifying  results  among  leading  business 
men.  In  some  cities  the  work  has  been  chiefly  among 
adults.  The  greatness  of  the  blessing  which  has  followed 
Mr.  Hammond's  labors  in  the  United  States  and  in  Canada 
is  much  more  considerable  than  may  be  generally  known. 
It  has  been  estimated  by  persons  whose  judgment  deserves 
a  high  regard,  that  to-day  there  are  in  the  American 
churches,  as  the  fruit  of  these  evangelistic  labors  in  connec- 
tion with  Mr.   Hammond's  meetings,  not  fewer  than  forty 

THOUSAND  C4ENUINE  CONVERTS  WHOSE  HEARTS  HAVE  BEEN 
RENEWED  BY  THE  HOLY  GhOST. 

*'  Not  claiming  for  himself  any  of  the  glory  which  belongs 


452  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

to  God  only,  this  earnest  laborer  will  be  found  by  all  who 
are  privileged  to  know  him  singularly  full  of  humility  and 
Christian  love.  No  one,  perhaps,  more  than  he  ever  relied 
more  entirely  upon  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  this, 
no  doubt,  is  the  secret  of  the  great  results  which  have  fol- 
lowed his  labors,  and  secured  for  him  the  cordial  co-opera- 
tion and  sympathy  of  so  many  of  the  leading  ministers  of 
America." 

LITTLE    ONES    BKOUGHT   TO    JELUS. 

"  The  meetings  at  Mr.  Noel's  chapel  were  evidently  own- 
ed of  God.  On  Monday  in  the  after-meeting  many  warm- 
hearted Christians  spoke  to  the  children,  and  later  in  the 
week  many  of  them  dated  their  change  of  heart  to  that 
evening.  On  Tuesday  over  two  hundred  children  went  into 
the  vestry,  on  Mr.  Noel's  invitation  to  those  only  who 
believed  they  had  in  the  meetings  learned  to  love  the  Sav- 
iour. In  what  was  said  to  them  they  were  rather  severely 
tested,  but  in  spite  of  exhortations  not  to  deceive  them- 
selves, many  of  them  persisted  that  they  had  given  their 
hearts  to  Jesus. 

"  Mr.  Hammond  lets  the  children  sing  for  nearly  an  hour, 
one  after  another  of  the  sweet  '  Hymns  of  Salvation, '  by 
which  their  hearts  are  softened  and  prepared  for  the  beauti- 
ful gospel  of  God,  which  is  illustrated  to  them  by  touching 
stories  which  cannot  fail  to  impress  them  deeply  with  the 
love  of  Jesus,  and  to  instruct  them  clearly  in  the  way  of 
life.  After  the  singing  this  evening,  Dr.  Hogarth,  of  Wis- 
consin, rebuked  sharply,  yet  kindly  the  unbelief  of  older 
Christians  as  to  the  salvation  of  children.  Said  he,  the  con- 
dition of  simple,  trustful  faith  is  the  easiest  and  most  nat- 
ural in  which  it  is  possible  for  the  human  soul  to  be.  A 
little  child  of  two  years,  who  looks,  as  Coleridge  says,  into 
the  blue  heaven  of  his  mother's  eyes,  believes  all  she  says 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  453 

without  a  doubtful  thought.  He  has  to  learn  to  doubt  by 
being  deceived,  and  by  contact  with  the  sophisticated  life 
around  him  as  he  grows. 

"Two  words  very  much  describe  Mr.  Hammond,  in  rela- 
tion to  his  public  ministry — simplicity  aiid  faith.  He  real- 
izes a  world  of  strength  in  the  text  he  so  frequently  quotes  : 
'I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all  men  unto 
Me.'  In  child-like  words  he  lifts  up  the  Lord  Jesus,  dwell- 
ing on  all  His  love  and  sorrow,  and  showing,  in  many  a 
little  story.  His  power  and  willingness  to  save,  and  he 
believes  that  while  he  thus  speaks  the  Holy  Spirit  is  draw- 
ing young  hearts  to  the  Saviour. 

"  Mr,  Hammond  was  peculiarly  happy  this  evening  in  his 
illustrations,  and  explained  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel 
with  such  simplicity  that  very  young  ones  could  well  com- 
prehend them.  At  the  close  two  hundred  and  fifty  children 
came  into  the  vestry,  and  a  few  Christians,  at  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's request,  stood  at  the  door  to  see  that  only  those  en- 
tered who  professed  to  have  believed  on  Jesus. 

"  One  evening  a  boy  of  twelve  was  brought  to  Mr.  Ham- 
mond by  his  elder  sister,  who  said  he  wanted  to  speak  to 
him.  We  never  shall  forget  the  rapt  expression  of  that 
dear  child's  face.  There  was  no  tear,  for  there  is  a  joy  as 
well  as  a  woe  too  deep  for  tears,  but  his  voice  and  his  whole 
frame  quivered  with  suppressed  emotion  as  he  said,  '  Mr. 
Hammond,  I  have  come  to  thank  you  for  the  words  you 
have  spoken  ;  they  have  brought  me  to  Jesus. '  We  cannot 
recall  the  brief  conversation  which  ensued,  but  if  we  could, 
we  should  still  be  unable  to  convey  the  sense  of  God's 
presence  which  was  manifest  in  the  steadfast,  tearless  gaze 
of  that  believing  boy,  who  appeared,  like  Stephen,  to 
behold  the  heaven  opened,  and  the  Son  of  Man  standing  on 
the  right  hand  of  God. 

"Many  boys  and  girls  were  weeping  bitterly  that  they 


454  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

■were  such  sinners — their  conviction  not  arising  so  much 
from  their  outward  acts  as  from  not  having  loved  so  kind  a 
Saviour  ;  and  thoughtful  Christians  will  readily  perceive 
that  conviction  of  sin  on  this  account  is  deeper  in  its  char- 
acter, and  has  the  elements  of  permanence." 

MEETING   OF    YOUNG    LADIES. 

Mr.  John  Sands,  a  deacon  in  Kev.  B.  W.  Noel's 
church,  thus  describes  it  : 

"My  first  feeling  was  that  it  would  be  a  very  difficult 
matter  to  make  any  impression  on  the  young  ladies  present. 
After  singing,  Mr.  Hammond  spoke  to  them  about  the  love 
of  God  in  giving  Jesus  to  suffer  for  them.  For  a  consider- 
able time  scarcely  any  interest  was  visible  ;  but  as  he  con- 
tinued, illustrating  his  subject  by  touching  anecdotes,  it  was 
quite  manifest  that  their  attention  was  thoroughly  arrested  ; 
and  when  at  the  close  they  were  individually  addressed,  to 
my  surprise  they  all  bowed  down  their  heads  on  the  table 
and  sobbed  aloud.  Those  to  whom  I  spoke  appeared  deeply 
in  earnest  to  come  to  Christ,  and  I  could  not  but  leave  that 
meeting  with  the  deep  conviction  of  God's  presence  and 
power  having  been  in  our  midst. 

"  Mr.  Noel  said  that  if  any  of  Mr.  Hammond's  methods 
should  appear  unusual,  he  would  remind  them  that  the  great 
object  and  the  great  difficulty,  with  the  young  especially, 
was  to  secure  their  attention.  When  the  people  saw  the 
miracle  on  the  lame  man  they  all  ran  together,  greatly  won- 
dering. If  he  gets  them  together,  that  is  the  way  to  get 
them  under  the  power  of  the  sword  of  the  Spirit.  But,  as 
Mr.  Hammond  has  already  said,  they  were  not  to  depend  on 
man  or  means,  but  on  the  Holy  Ghost  alone. 

"A  young  man  who  had  been  brought  to  God  under 
Mr.  Hammond  at  Dumfries,  mentioned  some  remarkable 
instances  of  conversion  besides  his  own,  not  only  among 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  455 

children  but  adults,  one  being  a  Unitarian,  a  merchant  of 
position.  The  interest  was  so  deep  that  ladies  had  left 
their  families  at  the  seaside,  and  returned  to  Glasgow,  in 
order  to  be  present  at  the  daily  meetings  for  prayer  which 
were  held  in  connection  with  the  services. 

ESTQIJIRY   MEETING. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  address  I  glanced  at  the  throng  of 
youthful  listeners,  and  do  not  overstate  the  facts  in  saying 
that  scores  of  them  were  weeping.  Yes,  little  children  of 
five  and  six  years  of  age,  and  others  who  had  numbered 
thirteen  or  fourteen  summers,  both  boys  and  girls,  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  chapel,  were  melted  into  tears.  The  scene 
was  a  remarkable  one.  I  have  not  infrequently  heard  ad- 
dresses to  the  young,  but  never  until  now  have  I  known  an 
audience  of  children  moved  as  was  the  one  before  me.  Mr. 
Noel,  Mr.  Hammond,  deacons,  elders,  and  teachers,  were 
engaged  in  comforting  these  youthful  mourners,  and  in 
pointing  them  to  that  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world  ;  the  sins  of  little  children,  as  well  as  the 
sins  of  those  who  have  lived  long  upon  the  earth. 

MR.    HAMMOND    AT    SURREY    CHAPEL. 

*'  The  name  of  Surrey  Chapel  brings  with  it  many  grate- 
ful memories.  It  is  a  place  in  which  many  have  been  born 
to  God.  For  half  a  century  the  well-known  Rowland  Hill 
was  its  '  zealous,  active,  and  devoted  minister. '  Newman 
Hall,  the  author  of  '  Come  to  Jesus, '  is  now  the  pastor  of 
the  church  assembling  here. 

"Mr.  Hammond  addressed  a  crowded  meeting  on  the 
evening  of  Sunday.  At  the  close,  Mr.  Nelson,  a  gentleman 
just  from  Montreal,  bore  testimony  to  the  value  of  Mr. 
Hammond's  labors  in  the  American  colonies.  Mr.  Nelson 
said  that  as  the  result  of  a  fortnight's  meetings  in  Montreal, 


456  THE  HAEYEST  WOEK 

from  eight  hundred  to  a  thousand  persons  were  believed  to 
have  been  savingly  converted.  At  that  time  he  had  seen  a 
rumseller,  his  wife,  son,  and  daughter,  kneeling  together  in 
the  same  pew,  bowed  down  under  the  sense  of  their  sins  ; 
.and,  on  their  conversion,  they  hesitated  not  to  give  up  their 
business,  and  abandon  the  traffic  in  which  they  had  been 
engaged.  '  I  had  three  children  brought  to  God  under  Mr. 
Hammond's  preaching  in  our  city,'  continued  the  speaker, 
'  one  of  them,  and  a  daughter-in-law,  who  was  converted  at 
the  same  time,  are  with  me  here  to-night.  When  he  came 
among  us  I  saw  that  his  mode  of  working  was  somewhat 
different  to  that  to  which  I  myself  had  been  accustomed  ; 
but  when  I  discerned  that  God  was  blessing  the  work,  I 
found  it  impossible  to  stand  aloof.'  Mr.  Nelson's  presence 
was  quite  unexpected  ;  he  had  visited  Surrey  Chapel  Sun- 
day-school that  day,  and  had  then  learned  that  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  in  London,  and  was  to  speak  in  this  chapel  on 
the  same  evening.  The  two  young  ladies,  to  whom  refer- 
ence has  been  made,  were  present  with  him  at  the  meeting. 
' '  At  the  close.  Rev.  Newman  Hall  dismissed  the  meet- 
ing, but  said  that  if  any  children,  or  others,  were  spiritu- 
ally anxious,  they  would  be  conversed  with  up  in  the  school- 
room. My  impression  is  that  both  he  and  Mr.  Hammond 
were  surprised  at  the  number  of  children  and  adults  who 
availed  themselves  of  the  invitation,  and  pressed  from  the 
chapel  to  the  school-room.  Sure  I  am  that  teachers  and 
deacons  were  astonished  at  the  results  that  followed  this 
Monday  evening's  preaching.  There,  in  that  school-room, 
sat  row  after  row  of  young  and  older  persons  anxious  about 
their  souls  ;  very  many  of  the  children  sorrowfully  weeping, 
and  several  of  the  adults  with  that  pained  and  troubled  look 
upon  their  faces,  that  look  which  those  who  have  had  ex- 
perience in  soul-trouble  may  have  once  and  again  seen. 
The  scene  was  a  solemn  one.     '  Surely  God  is  in  this  place 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  457 

and  I  knew  it  not,*  was  the  thought  which  passed  through 
many  minds. 

'^  At  the  beginning  of  the  after-meeting,  Rev.  Baptist 
Noel  and  several  Christians  from  John  Street  Chapel  came 
into  the  room — a  most  welcome  re-enforcement.  They  had 
that  evening,  at  John  Street,  held  a  tea-meeting  for  children 
and  youths  who  believed  they  had  been  brought  to  Christ 
during  Mr.  Hammond's  services  ;  and  three  hundred  and 
thirty  children  and  seventy  adults  had  been  present.  "With 
hearts  warmed  by  what  they  had  seen  and  heard  at  John 
Street,  these  brethren  had  come  over  to  help.  They  were 
needed,  and  in  a  few  moments  were  zealously  engaged  in 
conversing  with  inquirers  and  directing  them  to  the  Lamb 
of  God.  Subsequently  Mr.  Noel  addressed  some  very  sol- 
emn and  weighty  words  to  those  teachers  and  office-bearers 
who  were  connected  with  Surrey  Chapel.  He  told  of  the 
blessing  that  had  been  received  at  John  Street,  and  desired 
that  the  same  spiritual  refreshing  might  be  known  here  and 
among  them.  '  We  believe  that  a  large  number  of  our  chil- 
dren have  been  converted  ;  they  believe  they  have  been  ; 
and  their  friends  and  relatives  believe  it  too.  If  we  can  say 
this  and  speak  of  hundreds,  surely  we  may  hope  that  Surrey 
Chapel  will  be  able  to  tell  of  well-nigh  a  thousand  brought 
to  God. '  He  besought  the  teachers  and  elders  not  to  hinder 
the  work  by  standing  aloof  from  it,  but  the  rather  to  help 
it  on  to  the  best  of  their  ability  by  taking  the  children  by 
the  hand  and  pointing  them  to  Jesus.  '  Shall  it  be  said 
that  you  believe  children  are  old  enough  to  sin,  old  enough 
to  die,  old  enough  to  be  lost,  and  yet  not  old  enough  to  be 
saved  ? '  'In  our  chapel,'  continues  Mr.  Noel,  '  I  rejoice  to 
say  that  one  of  the  deacons  has  had  his  daughter  brought 
to  Christ  in  tht  course  of  the  meetings." 

This  word  of  exhortation  brought  forth  fruit,  for  on  the 
succeeding  evenings  many  of  the  Sunday-school  teachers 


458  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

and  other  members  of  the  chapel  were  diligently  engaged  in 
speaking  to  inquirers,  and  in  counselling  the  anxious. 

"  On  Wednesday  evening,  Mr.  Noel  was  again  present  at 
the  Surrey  Chapel,  and  after  Mr.  Hammond  had  concluded 
his  address,  Mr,  Noel  in  touching  words  referred  to  the 
probability  of  these  little  ones  being  made  the  messengers 
and  heralds  of  salvation  to  their  parents  at  home.  He  went 
on  to  narrate  a  little  circumstance  that  had  occurred  in  con- 
nection with  the  John  Street  meetings.  A  little  girl,  eight 
years  old,  went  home  to  her  father  and  asked  him  to  look 
out  some  texts  for  her.  The  father,  a  man  who  attended  no 
place  of  worship,  and  who  had  probably  not  looked  into  a 
Bible  for  years,  declined  complying  with  his  child's  re- 
quest. '  Well  then,  father,  read  me  a  chapter  ;  read  to  me 
about  the  prodigal  son.'  'If  you'll  find  the  place  forme 
I  will.'  'I  can't  find  it,  father  ;  you  know  I  can't  read 
well  enough  to  find  it.'  The  father  then  found  out  the 
chapter,  and  read  to  his  little  daughter  the  fifteenth  chap- 
ter of  Luke. 

' '  One  of  the  teachers  said  to  me,  '  As  the  result  of  these 
meetings  we  have  now  a  band  of  happy  little  Christians. 
And  God  has  given  us  this  great  blessing  notwithstanding 
our  unbelief  ! '  " 

The  children's  special  mission,  the  influence  of 
which  has  been  felt  nearly  all  over  the  world,  grew 
out  of  Mr.  Hammond's  visit  to  London.  He  was 
very  anxious  that  his  method  of  labor  for  the  con- 
version of  the  young  should  be  perpetuated,  and 
so  it  has  been  most  thoroughly.  Samuel  Spiers, 
T.  B.  Bishop,  Samuel  Tyler,  K.  Westall  and 
others,  have  been  untiring  during  the  past  fifteen 
years.     Men  adapted  to  do  this  work  have  been  sent 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIEIT.  469 

bj  this  society  over  Europe,  and  in  various  climes 
and  languages  have  held  meetings  for  children,  and 
conducted  inquiry  meetings  much  after  the  manner 
the  evangelist  introduced  in  London  during  the  six- 
teen weeks  of  his  labors  there. 

In  fact,  the  meetings  begun  at  that  time  have 
continued  and  extended  to  the  present  time,  and 
will  likely  go  on  for  a  long  time  to  come  in  various 
parts  of  the  world. 

LETTER   FROM   T.    B.    BISHOP. 

The  following  letter  is  one  of  many  showing  the 
precious  results  of  the  work  begun  in  London  in 
1867: 

"  71  Thistle  Grove, 
West  Brompton,  London,  S.  W., 
October  5,  1877. 

"  It  would  require  a  treatise  to  write  fully  on  the  work 
we  have  had  in  this  country  during  the  last  few  years 
among  the  children.  God  has  blessed  us  so  greatly  that  I 
have  felt  impelled  three  years  following  to  go  to  the  Conti- 
nent to  tell  of  what  we  have  seen. 

'*  We  are  all  deeply  grateful  to  you  as  the  first  mercer  in 
this  worl:.  You  certainly  gave  us  the  first  impulse,  and  I 
have  been  mentioning  your  name  everywhere  on  the  Con- 
tinent. Our  oldest  friends  all  remember  you  with  affec- 
tion and  gratitude. 

******* 

'*  We  make  a  practice  now  of  taking  down  the  names  of 
all  who  stop  to  the  conversational  meetings,  with  age,  Sun- 
day-school, etc.,  and  we  send  the  names  afterward  to  the 
superintendent  of  each  Sunday-school,  asking  him  to  watch 


460  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

over  these  children  especially,  and  some  Christian  friend 
often  undertakes  to  correspond  with  these  anxious  inquirers 
and  young  converts.  When  I  was  in  Switzerland  I  heard  of 
a  lady  who  is  doing  a  very  important  evangelistic  work 
among  children  in  Nismes,  and  who  was  first  led  to  commence 
it  by  reading  of  your  meetings  in  England.  Her  name 
is  Mile.  Levat,  13  Mai  de  la  Fontaine,  Nismes,  France. 
She  reads  English. 

"It  is  quite  impossible  for  us  to  attempt  to  write  an 
account  of  the  work  among  children  in  England.  It  is 
impossible  to  give  any  one  an  idea  of  the  blessing  that  we 
see  upon  the  work.  No  one  but  those  actually  in  the  work 
can  realize  it.  Sometimes  we  hear  of  fifty  or  sixty  young 
people  joining  the  church  in  a  town  where  Mr.  Spiers  has 
been,  or  a  class  of  young  Christians  being  formed,  and  only 
in  this  way  do  we  venture  to  give  numbers. 

"  Mr.  Spiers  has  a  Christian  instruction  class  of  more  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty.  At  his  central  services  in  London 
these  were  converted  as  children,  but  are  now  growing  up. 
But  of  course  his  great  work  is  in  visiting  different  towns. 

' '  We  shall  not  forget  you  in  our  prayers.  Pray  for  us, 
and  let  us  all  pray  for  more  laborers  in  this  important  part 
of  the  vineyard." 

Mr.  Samuel  Tyler  says  : 

' '  You  will  be  gratified  to  hear  that  the  gracious  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  still  resting  upon  the  dear  chil- 
dren and  youth  at  Surrey  Chapel,  and  that  many  little 
lambs  are  being  gathered  into  the  fold  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

"  On  the  Sunday  evening  following  Mr.  Hammond's  ser- 
vices, a  meeting  was  held  especially  for  little  Christians  and 
those  whose  hearts  were  impressed  with  the  truth.  The  fol- 
lowing placard  was  posted  between  the  doors,  so  that  every 
child  might  see  it  on  entering  ; 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT. 


461 


CHILDREN'S 

MEETLNG 

FOR 

Those 

WHO  Love  Jesus                | 

AND 

Those  who 

Want 

TO  LovE  Jesus. 

*'  The  joy  beaming  on  the  faces  of  these  dear  little  ones 
was  most  touching  to  behold,  and  showed  how  ripe  some  of 
them  were  for  heaven.  An  inquiry-meeting  was  announced, 
to  which  almost  all  remained,  and  during  which  I  have 
reason  to  believe  many  found  Jesus. 

"  At  the  close  of  this  meeting  it  was  found  necessary  to 
hold  a  second  inquiry-meeting  for  about  a  hundred  dear 
children,  who  seemed  to  be  deeply  solicitous  about  their 
own  souls  or  the  souls  of  others,  that  they  all  might  find 
Jesus.  The  interesting  cases  which  now  came  to  light  were 
so  many  and  various  that  I  forbear  even  to  mention  them. 
I  give  you  a  letter  from  a  lady  teacher  who  was  present, 
detailing  one  case  : 

"  '  A  boy  about  ten  years  old  seemed  distressed  ;  he  was 
sobbing  very  much.  A  dear  boy  who  was  sitting  by  his  side, 
who  had  himself  found  Jesus,  and  who  was  trying  to  con- 
sole him,  told  me  that  his  distress  was  on  account  of  his 
sins.  I  asked  the  dear  boy  how  long  he  had  felt  such  dis- 
tress for  sin.  He  said,  "  I  felt  nothing  of  this  before  I  came 
to  this  meeting  to-night.  I  have  heard  the  gospel  which 
has  convicted  my  conscience."  I  repeated  the  verse,  "I 
came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance, 
which  he  repeated  of  his  own  accord,  and  with  great  em- 
phasis, after  me.  The  meeting  in  the  school-room  being 
closed,  I  found  him  still  sobbing  in  a  room  below,  which 
was  filled  with  children,  many  of  whom  were  seeking  Jesus. 


462  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

I  again  spoke  to  him,  and  he  said  to  me,  "  Before  I  came 
to-night  I  could  play  on  the  Sabbath  and  do  other  bad 
things."  "But,"  I  said,  "you  would  not  do  them  will- 
ingly now?"  He  replied,  "Oh,  no."  But  the  weight  of 
his  sins  seemed  almost  to  crush  him,  and  he  said  to  me, 
"  My  sins  are  great,  and  I  cannot  answer  for  one  of  them." 
I  said,  "  My  dear  boy,  you  are  not  required  to  do  this; 
Jesus  Himself  answered  for  every  one  of  them  when  He 
died  upon  the  cross.  All  you  have  to  do  is  to  believe  it, 
and  trust  in  Him,  Are  you  doing  this?"  He  replied, 
"  Yes,"  and  added,  "  Jesus  has  paid  the  mighty  debt."  I 
then  praj^ed  with  him,  and  the  meeting  being  brought  to  a 
close,  I  parted  with  him  in  the  hope  that  he  would  soon  find 
peace  in  Jesus.'  " 

We  find  the  following  in  the  London  Sunday- 
School  Times : 

"  The  officers  and  teachers  of  the  Metropolitan  connected 
schools  met  in  the  lecture-hall  of  the  Sunday-School  Union 
on  Monday  evening,  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  addresses 
from  D.  L.  Moody,  Esq.,  and  Rev.  E.  Payson  Hammond. 

"  Mr.  John  Sands  said  it  afforded  him  satisfaction  to 
have  the  opportunity  of  alluding  to  the  important  work 
which,  under  the  instrumentality  of  his  dear  friend  Mr. 
Hammond,  had  been  carried  on  in  John  Street  Chapel.  It 
was  now  three  weeks  since  Mr.  Hammond  first  addressed 
the  children  there.  On  that  occasion  the  usual  evening 
service  was  given  up  to  them.  The  senior  children  of  the 
school  connected  with  the  chapel,  with  the  children  of  the 
congregation  and  other  children  from  the  neighborhood, 
filled  the  area  of  the  chapel.  The  service  was  to  commence 
at  half-past  six  ;  but  many  of  the  children  having  assembled 
some  time  previously,  were  interested  by  singing  some  of 
Mr,  Hammond's  hymns  to  his  own  tunes,  from  '  Hymns  of 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  463 

Salvation.'  Then,  in  the  most  affectionate  manner,  Mr. 
Hammond  spoke  to  them  of  the  truths  of  the  Bible,  the 
great  truth  of  Jesus'  mission,  His  sufferings  and  death, 
explaining  it  with  interesting  anecdotes,  all  of  which,  how- 
ever, bore  upon  the  one  subject  of  Jesus'  love  to  sinners. 
The  result  before  the  close  of  that  evening  was  what  he 
had  never  before  witnessed.  There  could  not  have  been  less 
than  three  or  four  hundred  children  who  bowed  their  heads 
and  wept,  feeling  deeply  their  sin  in  never  having  loved  so 
precious  a  Saviour.  The  following  evening  the  meeting 
was  continued.  The  children  did  not  need  to  be  invited  to 
come  ;  they  felt  constrained  to  come,  and  a  similar  blessing 
followed.  Each  evening  of  the  week,  except  Saturday, 
they  met,  and  it  was  difficult  to  get  them  away.  Not  only 
children,  but  youths  and  grown  people  all  seemed  alike  in- 
terested and  moved.  The  following  week  the  services  were 
more  for  adults,  but  still  there  was  great  blessing,  and, 
although  the  children  were  requested  not  to  come,  many  of 
them  came.  After  the  fortnight  had  expired,  Mr.  Noel  in- 
vited those  who  believed  that  they  had  found  Jesus  and 
were  trusting  in  Him,  and  those  only,  to  come  on  the 
Monday  evening  to  the  chapel,  and  he  would  have  tea  pro- 
vided for  them  at  six  o'clock  ;  but  those  only  were  to  come 
who  in  their  hearts  and  minds  believed  that  they  had  found 
Jesus.  On  the  Monday  evening  three  hundred  and  thirty 
children  came,  and  before  any  of  them  were  admitted  they 
were  subjected  by  the  senior  teachers  and  others  to  a  scru- 
tiny, and  a  number  of  those  who  had  come  merely  expect- 
ing to  get  tea  were  sent  home.  He  had  conversed  with 
teachers  who  were  sound,  excellent  Christians,  and  who  said 
the  change  in  the  school  was  something  wonderful.  One 
female  teacher  had  told  him  she  believed  all  the  children  in 
her  class  were  converted  except  two,  and  even  these  two 
were  awakened.     He  could  ascribe  it  to  nothing  but  the 


464  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

loving  way  in  which  the  mission  of  our  blessed  Saviour  was 
told  to  these  children.  Christ  had  been  precious  to  his 
heart  for  many  years,  but  he  had  never  had  his  own  heart 
so  drawn  out  in  affectionate,  tender  love  for  the  blessed 
Jesus,  and  never  did  he  so  feel  how  little  he  had  loved 
Him,  and  how  much  He  deserved  to  be  loved  before. 

"  The  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Superintendents'  and 
Secretaries'  Association  was  held  at  56  Old  Bailey  to  hear 
reports  of  the  result  of  Mr.  Hammond's  meetings  for  chil- 
dren, and  to  consider  the  lessons  which  might  be  learned 
therefrom. 

"  Mr.  Samuel  Tyler,  of  Surrey  Chapel,  bore  testimony  to 
the  work  of  grace  which  had  been  going  on  since  Mr. 
Hammond's  visit.  He  argued  that  we  set  the  evidences  of 
a  child's  conversion  too  high.  Because  the  child  remains  a 
child,  and  does  not  put  away  childish  ways,  many  think  it 
is  not  converted  at  all.  An  adult  Christianity  is  the  Chris- 
tianity which  a  child  must  be  forced  to  wear,  would  he  be 
regarded  as  a  Christian.  He  believed  the  Sunday-school 
was  white  to  harvest,  and  that  lambs  were  ready  to  run  into 
the  fold,  did  they  only  see  the  gate  open  to  them  ;  and 
why  should  they  be  allowed  to  form  the  idea  that,  until 
they  were  matured  Christians,  they  are  not  Christians  at 
all  ?  In  Surrey  Chapel  they  have  two  meetings  a  week,  and 
out  of  those  who  attend  them  he  believed  there  were  from 
one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  little  Christians  ;  and 
to  hear  the  way  those  little  ones  talk  of  Jesus,  you  never 
could  begin  to  doubt.  They  try  to  have  as  little  formality 
as  possible  in  the  meetings  ;  have  a  good  deal  of  singing, 
using  Mr.  Hammond's  beautiful  hymns  and  tunes.  They 
adopt  silent  prayer,  and  thus  teach  the  little  ones  to  seek 
the  presence  of  Jesus,  and  the  solemnity  of  it  is  very 
astonishing  ;  all  seemed  to  be  engaged  in  earnest  prayer  for 
a  few  moments.     Then  they  also  have  short  and  simple 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  465 

prayers  with  the  children,  in  which  they  join  very  heartily. 
And  one  very  interesting  feature  which  is  quite  new  to 
Sabbath-schools,  is  the  many  requests  for  prayer  sent  up  by 
those  little  ones  for  their  sisters,  and  brothers,  and  friends. 
Then  they  read  the  Scriptures,  and  expound  them,  and 
invite  them  to  come  to  Jesus  now. 

"Rev.  Benjamin  Davis,  of  Greenwich,  said  he  believed 
that  the  words  of  Christ  need  to  be  reiterated  now  as  much 
as  when  they  were  spoken — '  Buffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  Me.'  If  we  would  only  stand  out  of  the  way,  he 
believed  little  children  would  oftener  be  found  coming  to 
Jesus.  At  Greenwich  they  had  prayed  for  the  blessing,  and 
many  expected  just  the  results  which  have  been  seen. 
Large  numbers  in  Greenwich  had  been  led  to  the  Saviour. 
At  one  of  the  meetings  at  Maize  Hill,  Mr.  Hammond  de- 
sired all  who  had  found  Jesus  to  go  into  the  vestry,  and 
none  were  permitted  to  go  who  did  not  really  believe  they 
had  come  to  Christ.  There  were  one  hundred  and  ten  who 
thus,  professed  to  have  found  peace. 

AT   THE   METROPOLITAN   TABERNACLE. 

' '  A  correspondent  of  the  Christian  World  writes  :  '  Last 
Sabbath  morning  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon  preached  a  sermon 
having  special  reference  to  a  series  of  services  to  be  held 
there  by  Mr.  Hammond.  He  urged  his  people  to  pray  for  a 
great  blessing  and  to  do  all  they  could  to  assist  Mr.  Ham- 
mond in  the  blessed  work  of  leading  children  to  the  Sav- 
iour. In  the  afternoon  the  Tabernacle  was  crowded  with 
an  audience  of  no  less  than  six  thousand  to  listen  to  Mr. 
Hammond's  earnest  address.  It  was  one  of  the  most  glo- 
rious sights  we  ever  beheld.  Every  one  of  the  children  had 
leajflet  hymns  reprinted  from  Mr.  Hammond's  hymn  and 
tune  book,  "  Hymns  of  Salvation."  Many  of  the  children 
must  have  practised  the  hymns  before,  for  it  seemed  as  if 


466  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

the  whole  audience  knew  them.  It  was  worth  going  a  long 
distance  merely  to  hear  them  sing  those  sweet  hymns  which 
Mr.  Hammond  has  himself  composed  expressly  for  children. 
Though  the  service  was  professedly  for  children,  the  adults 
present  seemed  to  be  as  deeply  interested  as  the  little  ones. 
We  sat  near  a  gray-headed  gentleman  who  was  weeping 
nearly  the  whole  time.  At  the  close  there  were  two  in- 
quiry-meetings, one  in  the  Lecture  Hall  and  one  in  the 
Tabernacle,  and  many  were  found  deeply  anxious  about 
their  souls.  At  the  close  of  the  service  a  gentleman,  who 
is  one  of  the  officers  of  Calvary  Church  in  Philadelphia, 
stated  to  the  teachers  that,  as  the  result  of  a  few  meetings 
held  in  their  church  by  Mr.  Hammond,  fifty-five  young 
people  were  received  into  the  church  ;  that  now,  after 
nearly  four  years,  they  have  the  most  satisfactory  reason  to 
believe  that  every  one  of  the  number  experienced  at  that 
time  a  change  of  heart.  He  stated  that  those  churches  in 
Philadelphia  which  threw  themselves  heartily  into  the 
work  received  a  great  and  permanent  blessing.  He  said  it 
would  be  the  same  in  the  Tabernacle  if  the  Christians  all 
united  to  pray  and  labor  in  the  after  meetings.  Another 
gentleman,  from  New  Jersey,  stated  that  in  the  city  in 
which  he  lived  upward  of  six  hundred  professed  to  be  con- 
verted in  Mr.  Hammond's  meetings  four  years  ago,  who 
were  soon  after  received  into  the  churches,  and  that  now  it 
was  the  unanimous  testimony  of  the  different  ministers  that 
they  never  saw  converts  give  better  evidence  that  they  had 
been  born  again  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  Mr.  Tyler,  of  Surrey 
Chapel,  also  stated  to  the  teachers  that,  as  the  result  of 
Mr.  Hammond's  services  in  Surrey  Chapel  a  year  and  a 
half  since,  he  believed  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  have  been 
truly  converted.  Mr.  Hammond  sails  for  America  on  the 
17th  inst.  His  last  meeting  in  the  Tabernacle  will  be  held 
this  (Friday)  evening.'  " 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  467 

During  these  services  in  London,  in  1868,  Mr. 
Moody,  who  was  then  paying  his  first  visit  to  Lon- 
don, was  asked  by  a  leading  minister  about  Mr. 
Hammond.  He  replied  that  he  believed  that  up  to 
that  time  there  could  not  be  less  than  fifty  thousand 
in  the  churches  in  the  United  States  and  Canada 
who  had  been  converted  in  his  meetings.  We  can- 
not judge  as  to  the  correctness  of  Mr.  Moody's  esti- 
mate. The  numbers  who  have  been  converted  in 
these  services  since  that  time  in  Ireland,  Scotland, 
Canada,  and  the  United  States  have,  without  doubt 
been  much  larger  than  those  before  1868. 

Let  no  one  think  Mr.  Hammond  regards  himself 
as  anything  but  a  shepherd^ s  dog,  as  he  calls  him- 
self. He  says  he  only  assists  the  shepherds  of  the 
flocks  to  coax  some  of  the  stray  sheep  and  lambs 
into  the  fold.  Those  who  Jcnow  him  believe  that 
he  seeks  continually  to  hide  behind  the  cross. 

We  have  frequently  heard  people  who  have 
attended  his  meetings  say  that  after  a  little  they 
lose  sight  of  the  speaker.  How  could  he  expect 
the  blessing  of  God  unless  it  was  his  chief  aim  to 
honor  God  in  seeking  to  hold  up  Christ  and  to  lead 
souls  to  Him.  At  times  we  know  this  evangelist 
has  been  so  overwhelmed  with  the  sense  of  God's 
presence  and  his  own  shortcomings  that,  with  Job, 
he  has  in  self-abasement  and  tears  been  forced 
to  cry  out,  "  I  have  heard  of  Thee  by  the  hearing  of 
the  ear  ;  but  now  mine  eye  seeth  Thee  :  wherefore 


468  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes." 
He  realizes  that  only  so  long  as  he  heeds  the  words 
of  the  Master,  ^'  Without  Me  ye  caa  do  nothing," 
may  he  expect  His  blessing.  Perhaps  no  verse  in 
the  Bible  does  he  repeat  oftener  than  this  '^  Not 
by  might  nor  by  power,  but  by  My  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord." 

GENERAL    BOOTH,   OF   THE    SALVATION    ARMY, 

quite  surprised  Mr.  Hammond  by  telling  him  in 
1868  that  it  was  through  his  influence  that  he  was 
induced  to  give  up  his  stated  charge  and  to  go  into 
the  work  in  which  he  has  been  since  engaged. 
General  Booth  told  him  that  in  1861,  when  he  was 
holding  meetings  in  London,  he  asked  his  advice  as 
to  whether  he  should  trust  the  Lord  for  support  and 
go  forward  as  an  evangelist  and  do  the  work  God 
gave  him.  The  encouragement  he  received  from 
Mr.  Hammond  was  the  turning  point  in  his  history. 
A  letter  which  Mr.  Hammond  received  from  Gen- 
eral Booth  the  past  year  confirms  this  statement. 
Some  one  has  said  that  ''  We  are  touching  cords 
that  will  vibrate  throughout  the  ceaseless  ages  of 
eternity."  How  little  do  we  know  of  the  influence 
of  lives  consecrated  to  the  Lord's  service. 

ST.    LOTIIS. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Kabb,  of  the  Herald  cmd  Presbyter, 

says  : 

"  In  St.  Louis,  last  winter,  the  largest  halls  in  the  city 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  469 

were  crowded  day  after  day,  and  one  of  the  pastors  has 
recently  stated  that  over  five  thousand  persons  were  added 
to  the  churches  of  St.  Louis  as  the  result  of  these  special 
services. 

"  Rev.  James  H.  Brooks,  D.D.,  of  St.  Louis,  is  one  of 
the  best  known  and  ablest  pastors  in  that  city.  When  it 
was  proposed  to  invite  Mr.  Hammond  to  St.  Louis  he  op- 
posed the  movement,  and  for  a  week  after  the  meetings 
began  he  did  not  attend.  At  length  he  went,  and  then 
wrote  to  a  friend  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  in  a  letter  we  have 
been  permitted  to  read  and  to  make  extracts  from,  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  '  Without  startling  denunciations  and  thrilling  appeals, 
but  in  the  simple  presentation  of  Gospel  Truth,  men  and 
women,  all  through  the  immense  audience,  were  bowed 
down  under  the  burden  of  conscious  guilt,  and  asking  with 
profound  solemnity,  whoUy.^unlike  the  boisterous  emotions 
of  a  spurious  revival,  "  What  must  we  do  to  be  saved  V 

' '  '  Since  that  evening  I  have  been  in  almost  constant  at- 
tendance, and  only  eternity  can  unfold  the  blessed  and  far- 
reaching  results  of  those  wonderful  meetings.  Backsliders 
have  been  reclaimed  by  scores  ;  the  fallen  and  the  friend- 
less have  been  freely  and  fully  forgiven,  to  the  praise  and 
glory  of  God's  sovereign  grace,  that  delights  to  pluck 
brands  from  the  burning  ;  and  men  and  women  of  culture 
and  refinement,  giving  up  the  vain  attempt  to  establish  their 
own  righteousness,  have  gratefully  submitted  themselves  to 
the  righteousness  of  God.  It  is  quite  certain  that  never 
before  in  the  history  of  St.  Louis  has  there  been  a  M^ork  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  so  deep,  so  pervading,  or  so  promising  of  a 
harvest  yet  to  come,  and  under  God  this  work  has  been 
chiefly  due  to  the  indefatigable  labors  of  Mr.  Hammond. 

*'  '  None  of  the  ministers,  nor  all  of  us  together,  could 
attract  such  vast  crowds,  and  it  may  be  truly  said  of  him. 


470  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

as  it  was  said  of  his  Master  :  "  The  common  people  heard 
him  gladly. ' '  Yet,  not  only  they,  but  all  of  every  class  and 
condition,  so  far  as  I  know,  who  have  regularly  attended 
these  meetings,  have  been  drawn  more  and  more  closely, 
and  bound  more  and  more  tenderly  to  him,  and  now  that 
he  is  taking  his  departure,  a  feeling  of  general  sadness  rests 
upon  the  Christian  community,  as  though  each  were  called 
to  say  farewell  to  a  beloved  friend. 

"'There  are  three  things  about  his  ministrations  that 
have  particularly  attracted  my  attention  and  elicited  my 
approbation.  The  first  is  that  he  is  a  man  of  prayer.  He 
seems  to  live  in  the  secret  of  Jehovah's  presence,  and  car- 
ries with  him  a  sense  so  habitual  of  the  Lord's  nearness, 
that  continually  in  conducting  his  meetings,  or  in  talking 
with  inquirers,  he  is  darting  up  ejaculatory  supplications  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace.  The  second  is  the  honor  he  puts 
upon  the  word  of  God.  The  th#rd  is  his  singular  fidelity  in 
holding  up  the  cross.  Never  once  has  he  lowered  the 
standard  of  truth,  and  his  aim  has  been  the  glory  of  God  in 
genuine  conversions.'  " 

COMMODORE   DAVIDSON   AND   THE   LIQUOR   TRAFFIC. 

During  the  meetings  which  Mr.  Hammond  con- 
ducted in  St.  Louis  in  1874  Commodore  W.  F. 
Davidson,  in  a  very  striking  manner,  was  led  to 
believe  that  he  had  received  Christ  as  his  Saviour. 
He  at  once  banished  liquor  from  all  his  line  of  boats 
on  the  Mississippi  River.  He  had  received  the 
large  sum  of  thirteen  thousand  dollars  a  year 
for  the  privilege  of  allowing  others  a  little  space  in 
which  to  sell  it.  .  During  these  past  eight  years  he 
could  have  received  this  amount  per  annum,  which 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  471 

would  have  amounted  to  over  one  hundred  thou- 
sand DOLLARS.  This  fact  has  several  times  been 
published  and  we  know  it  to  be  reliable.  In 
spite  of  this  strong  inducement,  the  commodore 
remains  inflexible,  and  will  not,  for  any  considera- 
tion, allow  liquor  to  be  sold  on  his  boats. 

Would  that  owners  of  steamboats  all  over  our 
land  might  follow  his  example  !  How  many  thou- 
sands of  hearts  would  be  made  to  rejoice,  and  how 
many  would  be  saved  from  a  drunkard's  grave  ! 


CHAPTEE  XXIIl. 

California — San  Jose— The  Robber  Vasquez— Jews  and  Catholics 
—  Gambler  Converted — Who  is  God  ? — Dr.  Babb — All-night 
Prayer-meeting— Sacramento— Chinamen  —  Railroad  Men— 
Galesburg  Letter — San  Francisco— Earthquake  —  Sarah  B. 
Cooper— Prayer  vs.  Pistols— Dr.  A.  L.  Stone's  Statement- 
Farewell  Meetings— Permanent  Results  in  St.  Louis— Oak- 
land— Tabernacle  Meetings — Great  Crowds — Theological  Pro- 
fessor— Co  venant. 

In  the  winter  of  1874-5  Mr.  Hammond  paid  a 
second  visit  to  California.  He  spent  at  that  time 
upon  the  Pacific  Coast  nine  months.  His  first 
meetings  were  held  in  San  Jose. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Babb  gave  lengthy  accounts  of  the 
work  in  that  city  in  the  Cincinnati  Herald  and 
Presbyter^  of  which  he  has  long  been  one  of  the 
editors. 

We  can  only  give  a  few  extracts  : 

*'  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  has  commenced  a  series  of  meet- 
ings in  San  Jos^.  On  Sabbath  afternoon  fifteen  hundred 
were  present,  half  of  them  children.  Mr.  Hammond 
preached  to  them  in  his  earnest  and  tender  way  about  the 
love  of  Jesus,  His  sufferings  and  death  for  them,  and  their 
guilt  in  not  loving  Him.  All  were  attentive — many  were 
in  tears.     After  the  sermon  the  ministers  present  and  others 


THE   HARVEST   WORK.  473 

went  through  the  congregation  talking  with  the  anxious. 
The  Spirit  of  God  was  manifestly  present,  and  some  of  the 
brethren  thought  that  there  were  at  least  a  hundred  hope- 
ful conversions  before  the  meeting  closed. ' ' 

In  the  next  issue  he  wrote  as  follows  : 

**  Since  I  wrote  last  week  there  has  been  marked  progress 
in  meetings  conducted  by  Mr.  Hammond.  The  attendance 
at  the  morning  prayer-meetings  has  more  than  doubled. 
Nearly  five  hundred  were  present  this  morning.  This  in  a 
city  of  twelve  thousand  inhabitants,  with  less  than  a  thou- 
sand church  members,  shows  that  Christians  at  least  are 
pretty  generally  waked  up.  The  hall,  which  holds  about 
twelve  hundred,  is  crowded  every  evening.  Many  stand  in 
the  aisles  during  the  services.  Mr.  Hammond  has  drawn  to 
these  services,  and  interested  in  them,  hundreds  who  never 
go  to  church.  In  passing  through  the  congregation  night 
after  night  I  find  many  who  say  :  '  I  have  not  been  in  a 
church  for  five,  ten,  and  even  fifteen  years.'  I  find  others 
who  say  :  '  I  have  not  opened  my  Bible  since  I  came  to 
this  State.'  California  is  full  of  backsliders — men  and 
women  brought  up  in  Christian  homes  at  the  East — but  who 
have  gone  far  astray  over  here.  Mr.  Hammond  is  reaching 
this  class  of  persons.  He  is  drawing  them  to  hear  the  gos- 
pel, and  some  of  them  are  embracing  it.  There  have  been 
some  remarkable  answers  to  prayer  and  some  deeply  inter- 
esting cases  of  conversion  already.  There  is  a  smaller  hall, 
holding  about  two  hundred,  connected  with  Music  Hall. 
Into  this  hall,  for  two  evenings  past,  we  have  invited  the 
young  men  after  the  sermon.  The  first  evening  the  hall  was 
well  filled.  Last  evening  it  was  crowded.  At  least  two 
hundred  young  men,  many  of  the  class  that  we  call  hood- 
lums, remained  in  that  room  for  two  hours,  all  quiet,  atten- 
tive and  respectful  ;    some  deeply  convicted  of  sin.     We 


474  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

talked  to  them  both  collectively  and  individually,  and  hope 
that  many  of  them  will  be  converted. 

"  Yesterday  Mr.  Hammond,  with  a  large  number  of  gen- 
tlemen and  ladies,  visited  the  jail  and  held  a  meeting  with 
the  prisoners.  They  talked  and  prayed  with  Vasquez,  the 
notorious  robber,  who  has  recently  been  convicted  of  murder 
and  sentenced  to  be  hung.  They  found  him  penitent,  and 
anxious  for  religious  instruction  and  the  prayers  of  Chris- 
tians. He  (Vasquez)  took  the  hand  of  a  little  boy,  eight 
years  old,  the  son  of  the  Baptist  minister,  and  said  to  him, 
'  Won't  you  pray  for  me  ? '  Pointing  to  a  lady  who  had 
been  reading  the  Bible  to  him,  he  said,  '  The  priest  came  to 
see  me  ;  he  want  my  money  ;  but  that  lady  loves  my  soul.' 

*'  This  morning  a  Jewish  lady  sent  in  a  request  for  prayer, 
saying  that  she  wanted  to  be  a  Christian,  and  that  her  hus- 
band, who  is  an  infidel,  told  her  if  she  found  that  Christ 
was  really  the  Son  of  God,  and  could  make  her  happy,  he 
would  become  a  Christian  too.  In  going  through  the  con- 
gregation, after  the  sermon,  we  meet  some  curious  speci- 
mens of  humanity.  Said  a  young  hoodlum  to  me  the  other 
night  :  '  I  don't  want  religion.  I  am  just  as  happy  as  a 
clam  in  high  water.'  I  told  him  that  some  of  us  believed  in 
a  higher  life  than  that  of  a  clam,  and  that  even  if  he  was 
only  a  clam  he  might  not  always  be  in  high  water.  He  was 
taken  aback  by  having  his  slang  comparison  retorted  on 
him,  and  listened  quite  seriously  as  I  preached  Christ  to 
him. 

"Mr.  Hammond  compares  Scripture  with  Scripture,  and 
brings  out  hidden  treasures  from  familiar  passages  in  a  way 
that  delights  and  edifies  God's  people.  Dr.  James  Eells, 
who  came  from  San  Francisco  to  attend  the  meetings,  said 
to  me  '  that  single  Bible  reading  was  worth  to  me  all  the 
cost  and  time  expended  in  coming  here. '  The  minister  who 
feeds  his  people  on  the  Word,  who  makes  it  not  only  palat- 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  475 

able  but  nutritive  to  them,  will  have  a  church  strong  in  the 
Lord.  At  the  morning  prayer-meeting  Brother  Hammond 
feeds  us,  and  then  we  go  out  and  work  for  Christ  with  joy 
and  with  success. 

"  One  remarkable  feature  of  the  meetings  is  the  number 
of  Jews,  Catholics  and  infidels  who  attend  them.  Last 
night  I  said  to  a  man  who  remained  to  the  inquiry-meeting  : 
'  Are  you  a  Christian  ? '  *  No,'  he  replied  ;  '  I  am  a  Jew.' 
*  Ah, '  said  I,  '  then  I  do  not  wonder  that  you  are  interested 
in  these  meetings,  for  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  about  whom  Mr. 
Hammond  has  so  much  to  say,  was  one  of  your  own  people. 
He  was  the  best  and  wisest  Jew  that  ever  lived.  He  is  ac- 
knowledged by  the  foremost  scholars  in  the  world  to  be  a  far 
greater  Lawgiver  than  Moses,  and  His  kingdom  to-day  is  a 
thousandfold  more  powerful  than  that  of  Solomon.  You 
ought  to  be  proud  of  Him,  even  if  you  don't  love  and  won't 
serve  Him.'  This  seemed  to  the  man  a  new  view  of  the 
case.  He  stammered  out  :  '  I  don't  care  about  Jesus.  You 
know  our  people  crucified  Him.  I  just  stayed  to  hear  the 
music'  'Well,'  said  I,  'they  are  singing  the  praises  of 
Jesus.  And  now  tell  me,  isn't  your  heart  sick  with  hope 
deferred  about  your  Messiah  ?  No  one  has  come  claiming 
to  be  He  that  was  promised  for  many  long  centuries. 
Meanwhile,  Jesus,  whom  your  people  rejected,  is  received 
as  the  Son  of  God  by  all  the  enlightened  nations  of  the 
earth.  Isn't  it  time  for  you  to  conclude  that  your  people 
made  a  mistake  when  they  crucified  Him  ? '  He  seemed 
puzzled.  He  sat  on  an  hour  after  I  left  him,  still  listeniag 
to  the  praises  of  Jesus.  A  Jew  told  Mr.  Hammond  last 
night  :  '  I  come  to  all  these  evening  meetings.  I  like 
them  ;  but  I  dare  not  come  in  the  daytime,  for  then  they 
would  all  abuse  me  and  say  that  I  was  becoming  a  Chris- 
tian.'    How  like  Nicodemus,  who  came  to  Jesus  by  night ! 

' '  I  have  talked  with  several  Catholics  in  these  meetings. 


476  THE  HAEVEST   WORK 

They  manifest  a  real  interest  in  the  services,  deny  that  they 
rely  upon  the  priest  for  pardon,  say  that  they  trust  in  the 
atonement  of  Christ,  and  that  confession  and  absolution  are 
but  helps.  They  go  to  their  priests,  not  for  salvation,  but 
for  advice  and  encouragement.  I  have  not  found  such 
Catholics  anywhere  else. 

*'  The  infidels  that  attend  are  the  most  shallow  specimens 
of  that  class  that  I  have  ever  seen.  They  are  generally  dis- 
ciples of  Tom  Paine.  They  bring  up  the  objections  that 
have  been  answered  a  thousand  times,  and  that  no  infidel 
anywhere  else  would  think  of  urging  in  this  day.  I  meet 
men  night  after  night  who  don't  believe  in  the  immortality 
of  the  soul — whose  creed  is  gross  materialism.  I  meet 
others  who  say  '  there  is  no  God.'  It  is  useless  to  reason 
with  these  men.  They  reply  to  every  argument :  '  I  won't 
believe  in  anything  that  I  can't  see.  If  there  is  a  God, 
show  Him  to  me. '  I  asked  one  of  these  men  one  night : 
*  Who  is  President  of  the  United  States  ? '  '  Why,  General 
Grant,  of  course,'  he  replied.  'Did  you  ever  see  General 
Grant  ? '  I  asked.  '  No. '  '  Then  you  have  no  right  to  be- 
lieve in  him.  You  are  living  in  this  country,  and  you  don't 
know  that  it  has  any  President.'  '  Oh,  that  is  difierent,'  he 
said.  But  when  I  asked  him  to  show  me  the  dijfference  he 
was  silent.  And  yet  these  atheists  and  materialists  come  to 
the  meetings  night  after  night,  and  often  stay  until  eleven 
o'clock.  They  are  drawn  in  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  in 
His  own  set  time,  if  we  are  faithful,  the  truth  will  reach 
their  hearts. 

"  Some  of  the  conversions  thus  far  are  worthy  of  special 
mention.  A  young  man  of  good  education  and  address 
came  here  from  San  Francisco  to  practise  his  profession  as 
a  gambler.  The  singing  in  the  street  in  front  of  the  hall 
where  the  meetings  are  held  attracted  his  attention.  After 
the  choir  had  sung  a  few  pieces,  the  crowd  that  was  drawn 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  477 

together  was  invited  to  come  up  into  the  hall  and  hear  Mr. 
Hammond.  He  went,  listened,  was  interested,  was  con- 
victed. His  struggle  with  his  convictions  was  protracted 
and  severe  ;  but  in  three  or  four  days  he  found  peace.  He 
appears  now  to  be  a  humble,  earnest  Christian.  He  has 
made  several  speeches  in  the  hall  and  at  the  open-air  meet- 
ings, and  gives  promise  of  usefulness. 

"  Another  sporting  man  had  just  bought  a  ticket  for  the 
races,  strayed  into  the  meeting  with  it  in  his  pocket,  be- 
came interested,  forgot  all  about  the  races,  thought  only  of 
his  sins  and  of  the  love  of  Christ.  He,  too,  has  been  con- 
verted. 

"  A  man  who  had  important  business  at  Hollister  had 
bought  a  ticket  for  that  place.  As  it  was  an  hour  before 
train  time,  he  went  into  the  hall  to  see  what  was  going  on. 
He  was  held  there  by  the  Spirit  of  God  until  the  cars  had 
gone.  He  came  in  the  evening,  came  again  next  morning, 
sought  and  found  the  Lord,  and  is  now  working  to  bring 
others  to  him.  For  more  than  a  week  he  has  had  that  rail- 
road ticket  in  his  pocket,  but  he  says  he  can't  go  until  the 
meetings  are  over." 

Kev.  Dr.  Woodbridge,  editor  of  the  Occident^ 
was  greatly  interested  in  the  work  in  California, 
and  did  all  he  could  to  promote  it. 

He  says  that  during  one  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
addresses  in  the  Music  Hall,  crowded  with  fifteen 
hundred  people,  a  man  arose  and  interrupted  him 
by  asking,  ''  Who  is  GodV 

"  Mr,  Hammond  paused,  while  a  death-like  stillness  per- 
vaded the  audience,  and  then  replied  slowly  and  impres- 
sively, '  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable 
in  His  being,  wisdom,  power,  holiness,   justice,  goodness 


478  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

and  truth. '  He  then  related  the  incident  of  how  that  an- 
swer came  to  be  prepared  in  the  Westminster  Assembly — 
the  previous  discussions,  the  anxiety  in  respect  to  the  state- 
ment, the  solemn  vote  of  prayer,  and  the  words  that  sprang 
like  inspiration  to  the  lips  of  him  who  led  in  the  invocation. 
This  was  followed  by  a  close  personal  appeal  to  the  person 
who  had  addressed  him,  which  fairly  thrilled  the  audience.'* 

In  another  column  of  the   OcGident  Dr.    Babb 


"  The  whole  city  is  roused.  The  meetings  are  talked  of 
everywhere,  and  multitudes  are  thinking,  more  or  less  seri- 
ously, about  things  spiritual  and  eternal. 

"  Last  Sabbath  evening,  while  Mr.  Hammond  was  preach- 
ing to  an  overflowing  audience  in  Music  Hall,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  was  full  of  Christians,  who  spent  more 
than  three  hours  in  earnest,  agonizing  prayer  for  God's 
blessing  on  San  Josg.  I  never  attended  a  meeting  on  which 
was  poured  such  a  spirit  of  '  grace  and  supplication. '  In 
the  great  congregation  in  the  Hall  that  evening,  there  were 
scoffers  and  blasphemers  ;  but  there  were  many  also  con- 
victed of  sin  and  awakened  to  their  need  of  a  Saviour. 

"  Mr.  Hammond  is  working  indefatigably.  He  is  endear- 
ing himself  to  multitudes  by  his  simplicity  and  godly  sin- 
cerity, his  burning  love  for  Christ  and  for  the  souls  of  men. 
He  conducts  the  morning  prayer-meeting,  expounding  the 
Scriptures  and  talking  with  inquirers.  He  goes  to  Santa 
Clara  in  the  afternoon  and  holds  a  children's  meeting  ;  then 
he  preaches  in  Music  Hall  at  night,  and  talks  with  saints 
and  sinners  for  hours  after  preaching.  Between  these  ser- 
vices he  conducts  street  meetings,  or  goes  to  the  jail  to  talk 
and  pray  with  the  prisoners.  He  is  busy  all  the  time,  and 
the  wonder  is  that  even  his  stalwart  frame  can  endure  a 
pressure  so  constant  and  so  great. 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  479 

"  The  prayer-meeting  tliis  morning  voted,  unanimously, 
to  send  an  address  to  all  the  ministers  and  churches  on  this 
coast,  telling  them  what  God  is  doing  here,  asking  them  to 
pray  for  us,  and  exhorting  them  to  seek  and  expect  a  gen- 
eral revival  of  religion. ' ' 

Dr.  Babb  conducted  two  all-nigbt  prayer-meet- 
ings at  this  time  in  San  Jose.  It  may  be  truly 
said  that,  in  answer  to  much  prayer,  a  work  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit  began  in  San  Jose  which  extended 
through  various  parts  of  California,  Washington 
Territory,  British  Columbia,  and  even  to  Alaska, 
two  thousand  miles  north.  Some  months  after  Mr. 
Hammond  left  San  Jose  Dr.  Babb  wrote  as  follows  : 

*'  The  young  converts  in  San  Jose,  and  some  older  Chris- 
tians with  young  hearts,  have  organized  a  band  of  Christian 
workers,  and  are  going  all  over  the  valley,  in  delegations 
of  from  ten  to  twenty-five,  holding  meetings.  They  are  a 
noble  company  of  lay  laborers,  and  are  doing  a  vast  amount 
of  good.  This  is  the  spirit  that  the  Church  needs.  The 
primitive  disciples  went  everywhere  preaching  the  gospel. 
They  were  all  workers.    They  were  all  evangelists." 

MEETINGS   IN   SACKAMENTO. 

On  the  first  of  February,  1875,  a  series  of  meet- 
ings was  begun  in  Sacramento  in  the  Horticultural 
Hall,  a  building  fitted  up  for  the  purpose,  accom- 
modating several  thousand  persons. 

The  following  letter  written  by  Dr.  C.  E.  Babb 
and  signed  by  the  pastors  of  the  various  evangelical 
churches  in  San  Jose,  helped  to  prepare  the  way 


480  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

for  the  work  in  Sacramento.  We  insert  it,  hoping 
that  God  may  use  it  to  prepare  the  way  in  other 
places  where  the  evangelist  may  labor  in  the  future  ; 
it  may  be  in  England  the  coming  winter. 


*'  To  THE  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  Sacramento  : 

"Dear  Brethren:  As  our  brother,  Rev.  E.  P.  Ham- 
mond, who  has  been  with  us  for  four  weeks,  laboring  day 
and  night  to  impart  unto  us  spiritual  gifts  and  to  bring  sin- 
ners to  Christ,  goes  to  your  city  to-day,  we  would  most 
affectionately  commend  him  to  your  confidence  and  love, 
and  would  entreat  you  for  his  sake  and  the  Master's  to  co- 
operate with  him  promptly.  His  methods  of  working, 
though  they  seemed  strange  at  first  to  some  of  us,  we  now 
regard  as  wise,  and  admirably  adapted  to  interest  men  in 
the  gospel  and  to  bring  them  under  its  power.  Those 
methods  have  been  adopted  by  him  after  years  of  study, 
and  their  efficiency  has  been  proved  by  his  uniform  and 
wonderful  success  as  an  evangelist.  If  we  had  realized 
more  fully  at  once  the  importance  of  doing  whatever  Brother 
Hammond  suggested;  if  we  had  organized,  the  first  day  of 
the  meeting,  such  a  choir  of  singers  as  we  now  have  ;  if  we 
had  seen  to  it  that  the  '  Song  Evangel '  was  in  the  hands  of 
all,  so  that  the  whole  congregation  could  join  in  the  singing  ; 
if  we  had  united  with  him  more  heartily  in  personal  work, 
*  warning  every  man  and  entreating  every  man  ; '  if  we  had 
gone  more  from  house  to  house,  inviting  the  people  to  come 
and  hear  and  rallying  Christians  to  Mr.  Hammond's  sup- 
port ;  if  we  had  advertised  more,  secured  fuller  reports, 
held  more  neighborhood  prayer-meetings,  distributed  more 
religious  literature,  gone  oftener  into  the  streets  singing  the 
praises  of  Jesus  and  preaching  the  gospel ;  if,  in  a  word, 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  481 

we  had  been,  from  the  first,  more  like  our  leader,  '  instant 
ia season  and  out  of  season,'  we  might  be  rejoicing  to-day 
in  a  blessing  richer  even  than  that  which  excites  our  won- 
der, our  gratitude  and  our  praise.  God  has  done  great 
things  for  us  under  the  leadership  of  Brother  Hammond." 

The  Chinamen  of  Sacramento  soon  became  in- 
terested, and  attended  the  meetings  to  the  number 
of  a  hundred  and  fifty.  Their  interpreter  spoke  in 
a  low  voice  so  as  not  to  disturb  the  main  body  of 
the  great  congregation.  Many  of  them  were  deeply 
interested,  and  some  of  them  gave  evidence  of  being 
truly  converted. 

Frequent  meetings  were  held  in  the  Central 
Pacific  Railroad  shops,  where  something  Kke  twelve 
hundred  men  were  employed.  Great  numbers 
assembled  at  noon,  day  after  day,  and  listened  to  the 
words  addressed  to  them  by  Mr.  Hammond  and 
others.  At  one  of  these  gatherings  Mr.  Hammond 
read  the  following  letter  from  Galesburg,  111., 
where  he  held  crowded  meetings  for  four  weeks, 
just  before  going  to  California  : 

^^  I  am  a  conductor  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
and  Quincy  "Railroad.  At  first  I  scoffed  at  the 
meetings.  My  wife  made  me  go  on  Sunday,  and 
my  heart  was  pricked,  and  I  saw  where  I  was  stand- 
ing. I  give  myself  to  Jesus,  and  am  now  bearing 
the  cross  as  manfully  as  I  can.  I've  been  baptized, 
and  am  living  a  new  life,  and  it  is  sunshine  at  home 
where   it   was   quite   dark   at   times.     If   you   are 


482  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

engaged  where  there  is  a  railroad  place,  read  our 

names  aloud,  for  I  have  many  a  railroad  friend  in 

California. 

"  James  K.  P.  Rowland." 

RESULTS    IN    SACRAMENTO. 

Bev.  Henry  H.  Rice,  pastor  of  the  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Church,  Sacramento,  writing  to  the 
Occident  J  says  : 

"  The  results  are  good  without  any  admixture  of  evil. 
The  impression  left  on  the  city  at  the  close  of  the  Union 
services  was  beautiful.  No  unpleasant  memories  jar  upon 
our  feelings  ;  no  transgressing  of  denominational  courtesy  ; 
no  proud  attempts  to  number  Israel ;  no  proselyting  nor  any 
of  those  contradictory  experiences  which  the  world  are  so 
ready  to  charge  upon  the  Church  in  times  of  Union  work. 
In  this  particular,  God  has  been  very  gracious  to  us  and  has 
proved  sufficiently  that  His  Church  on  earth  is  one. 

"  On  the  last  Sabbath  in  January  the  Union  services  be- 
gan, and  they  closed  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  March.  Six 
weeks  of  blessed  labor  with  one  heart  and  one  voice.  I  am 
told — for  being  a  recent  arrival  from  the  East  I  have  to  be 
*  told  '  everything — I  am  told  that  never  before  in  Sacra- 
mento has  there  been  such  a  thorough  union  of  the  different 
parts  of  the  Christian  Church  as  in  the  present  revival. 

"  Our  dear  Brother  Hammond  will  never  cease  to  be 
remembered  with  gratitude  for  striking  the  heavy  blows 
which  welded  the  churches  together,  melted  as  they  are  by 
the  Holy  Spirit.  May  the  Master  prosper  him  wherever  in 
the  Master's  name  he  goes,  and  may  God  spare  him  yet 
many  years  for  the  blessed  work  to  which  He  has  so  evi- 
dently called  him. ' ' 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  483 

REVIVAL    IN    SAN    FRANCISCO. 

The  pastors  of  Sacramento  were  very  anxious 
that  the  evangelist  should  be  permitted  to  see  a 
great  work  of  God  in  San  Francisco.  They,  there- 
fore, sent  to  the  ministers  and  Christians  of  that  city 
the  following  statement  : 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  pastors  of  Sacramento,  -would  ac- 
knowledge our  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  for  the  gracious 
revival  which  is  now  visiting  this  city.  And  we  desire  also 
to  express  our  appreciation  of  the  labors  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Ham- 
mond, who  has  conducted  the  revival  services  during  the 
last  three  weeks.  Mr.  Hammond  commenced  his  labors 
with  the  children,  and  from  the  first  the  influence  was  re- 
markable. Under  his  addresses,  and  the  personal  appeals 
of  Christians  in  the  inquiry-meetings  which  followed,  many 
were  bathed  in  tears,  and  with  bowed  heads  or  bended 
knees  confessed  their  sins  against  God,  and  yielded  their 
hearts  to  Jesus.  In  four  days  over  three  huDdred  professed 
conversion,  and  signed  the  covenant. 

"  The  Pavilion,  which  was  fitted  up  to  accommodate 
about  twenty-five  hundred  people,  has  been  filled  with 
adults  at  nearly  all  the  evening  services  from  the  com- 
mencement, and  on  Sunday  evenings  hundreds  turned  away, 
unable  to  find  standing  room,  even  so  much  as  about  the 
door.  A  general  interest  has  pervaded  the  city,  and  pro- 
found impressions  have  been  made,  which  we  believe  will 
never  be  lost,  though  some  may  not  yield  at  this  time. 

"  Mr.  Hammond's  methods  of  conducting  his  meetings 
are  somewhat  unique,  but  after  becoming  familiar  with 
them,  as  we  have  during  three  weeks  of  earnest  co-operation 
with  him  in  labor,  we  can  testify  that  they  have  been  greatly 
blessed  by  God  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 


484  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

' '  His  great  heart  of  sympathy,  which,  like  that  of  Paul, 
yearns  for  the  salvation  of  all  for  whom  Christ  died,  and  his 
inexhaustible  fund  of  thrilling  incidents,  many  of  which 
have  come  under  his  personal  observation,  together  with  a 
marvellous  aptness  in  applying  these  illustrations  to  the 
hearts  and  consciences  of  his  hearers,  often  make  his  ap- 
peals irresistible,  and  great  audiences  seem  under  his  con- 
trol.    But  he  never  fails  to  lay  the  spoils  at  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

' '  Brother  Hammond  leaves  Sacramento  in  a  blaze  of 
revival,  and  carries  with  him  the  love  of  all  hearts.  Our 
prayers  shall  follow  him  wherever  he  goes,  that  he  may  still 
have  many  years  of  service  in  his  Master's  vineyard,  and 
that  he  may  gather  many  sheaves  for  Jesus. 

"J.  E.  Dwinell,  Congregational ;  A.  M.  Hough,  Meth- 
odist ;  J.  L.  Trefren,  Methodist ;  C.  Chamberlain,  Meth- 
odist (Southern)  ;  H.  Taylor,  First  Baptist  ;  H.  W.  Read, 
Second  Baptist ;  H.  H.  Rice,  Presbyterian." 

Mrs.  Sarah  B.  Cooper  says  : 

"  San  Francisco  is  accustomed  to  being  well  shaken  up, 
but  not  after  the  manner  of  its  present  shaking.  The 
sturdy  old  Californian  stands  unblanched  amid  the  convul- 
sive upheavings  of  old  Mother  Earth  ;  in  fact,  he  is  on 
terms  of  intimate  fellowship  with  riotous  earthquakes,  but 
of  these  heaven-quakes  he  is  profoundly  ignorant,  and  they 
seem  to  jostle  and  start  him  from  his  wonted  equilibrium. 

"  On  Saturday  evening,  February  20th,  Mr.  Hammond 
began  his  work  in  this  city.  A  daily  prayer-meeting  had 
been  held  for  seven  weeks,  and  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
Lord's  army  had  been  burnishing  up  their  weapons  of  war- 
fare, and  were  well  equipped  for  action.  They  were  ready 
for  marching  orders,  and  Mr.  Hammond  was  quite  ready  to 
issue  the  word  of  command.     And  so  it  came  to  pass,  for 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  485 

the  first  time  in  the  history  of  our  stirring  and  beautiful 
city,  that  the  hosts  of  our  God  started  forth  for  mighty 
conquest. 

"  On  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  the  21st,  an  immense  as- 
semblage of  children  gathered  in  Dr.  Stone's  church,  one  of 
the  largest  audience  rooms  of  the  city,  to  listen  to  Mr.  Ham- 
mond. The  meeting  was  of  the  most  interesting  char- 
acter, a  deep  and  earnest  feeling  pervading  the  entire  gath- 
ering. Mr  Hammond  loves  children  and  reaches  them 
with  magical  facility.  There  have  been  many  children's 
meetings,  all  of  which  have  been  well  attended,  and  a 
variety  of  most  touching  and  interesting  scenes  and  inci- 
dents have  characterized  these  immense  gatherings.  The 
stories  and  illustrations  given  by  Mr.  Hammond  are  calcu- 
lated to  awaken  in  the  children  a  lively  sense  of  the  tender 
and  brooding  love  of  the  blessed  Redeemer,  and  turn  their 
little  hearts  in  grateful  adoration  to  One  who  has  done  so 
much  for  them.  Among  the  earliest  fruits  of  this  blessed 
revival  season  was  the  conversion  of  a  young  miss,  of  about 
fifteen,  whose  case  embodies  much  of  unusual  interest. 
Naturally  bright,  vivacious,  and  of  strong  will  power,  she 
possesses  decidedly  pronounced  characteristics,  both  of 
mind  and  heart.  Underlying  much  of  external  sweetness 
and  attractiveness  was  the  latent  heat  of  volcanic  action, 
that  on  occasion  could  spend  itself  with  suggestive  force. 
Her  father,  one  of  our  most  popular  pastors,  had  felt  the 
deepest  concern  for  her  spiritual  welfare.  She  had  long 
been  a  member  of  his  Bible  class,  which  afforded  additional 
opportunity  for  earnest  teaching  and  exhortation.  But  so 
resolutely  had  she  set  herself  against  all  appeal  that  she 
would  not  only  evince  the  most  frigid  indifference,  but 
would,  when  appeal  waxed  fervent,  not  infrequently,  lit- 
erally stop  her  ears  with  her  fingers  in  a  half-vexed,  half- 
defiant,  half-playful  attitude  of  resistance.     When  asked  if 


486  THE   HARVEST   WOKK 

she  loved  Jesus,  she  would  promptly  respond,  '  No,  nor  do 
I  wish  to  love  Him  !  '  And  yet,  with  it  all,  there  was  so 
much  about  the  girl  that  was  irresistibly  sweet  and  attrac- 
tive !  Her  shibboleth  was  smiling  indifference  and  cool 
resistance.  But  prayers  were  going  up  for  her,  many  and  fer- 
vent. During  the  first  week  of  the  meetings  she  was  brought 
into  the  fold  of  that  loving  Jesus  whom  she  had  said  she  did 
not  wish  to  love,  and  at  a  morning  meeting  the  following 
letter,  which  she  had  written  to  Mr.  Hammond,  was  read  : 

"  '  I  have  at  last  found  the  Lord.  I  came  home  yester- 
day, after  the  meeting,  and  read  that  little  tract  entitled 
"  The  New  Heart."  I  read  it  and  prayed  to  Jesus  that  I 
might  become  a  Christian.  I  gave  Him  my  heart,  and  I 
hope  and  pray  He  will  always  keep  it.   .  .  . 

"  '  Since  writing  the  above  my  father  has  been  talking  and 
praying  with  me,  and  I  have  never  been  so  happy  before  in 
my  life.  I  wonder  if  Jesus  is  as  happy  as  I  am  !  I  know 
He  is,  for  He  loves  all  children,  and  as  they  give  their 
hearts  to  Him  I  know  He  is  very  happy. 

' ' '  Yours  sincerely, 

"  'Marie.' 

"Mr.  Hammond  is  laying  siege  to  the  strongholds  on 
California  Street  among  the  bulls  and  bears  of  the  Stock 
Exchange.  His  first  meeting  among  the  brokers  was  held 
this  day,  and  some  three  or  four  thousand  men  gathered  to 
listen.  They  are  used  to  excitement  down  there  on 
'  'change,'  but  the  Mighty  Spirit  can  do  His  work,  and 
nothing  can  hinder  if  but  faith  take  hold  on  the  promises. 

* '  Union  Hall  has  been  crowded  at  every  one  of  the  mass- 
meetings  held  there,  and  it  was  estimated  that  in  that  hall 
and  the  churches  near  it,  and  at  the  street  meetings  in  the 
neighborhood,  on  last  Sunday  evening,  were  ten  thousand 
people,  who  left  their  homes  hoping  to  find  admission." 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  487 

PRAYER   VS.    PISTOLS. 

'  A  young  man  of  the  hoodlum  class  swaggered  into 
Union  Hall  with  a  brace  of  pistols  in  his  pockets.  He  was 
dissipated,  miserable,  desperate.  He  was  looking  for  a 
man  who  wronged  him,  and  meant,  if  he  found  that  man, 
to  shadow  him  until  he  got  a  chance  to  shoot  him,  and 
then,  if  in  danger  of  being  arrested,  to  shoot  himself.  He 
was  arrested,  but  it  was  before  he  found  the  man.  He  was 
arrested  by  the  truth  and  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  went 
home  under  deep  conviction.  He  came  to  the  meeting  next 
day.  He  learned  to  pray  and  to  trust  in  Christ.  He  threw 
his  pistols  aside,  and  standing  up  in  the  hall  last  night  he 
told  the  story  of  his  conversion,  of  his  peace  and  happiness, 
of  his  love  for  his  enemies,  and  of  his  earnest  desire  for  their 
salvation.  It  was  a  thrilling  scene,  and  made  a  deeper  im- 
pression upon  impenitent  men  than  any  sermon  could  have 
made. 

"  At  one  of  the  meetings  in  Union  Hall  Mr.  H.  said  :  *  If 
there  is  any  infidel  in  the  house,  a  man  who  says,  "  I  don't 
believe  in  the  Bible  or  in  Christianity,"  let  him  rise  up.'  A 
young  man,  a  civil  engineer,  arose.  Rev.  Dr.  Cox  sought 
out  this  young  man  in  the  inquiry-meeting,  and  finding  him 
to  be  honest  in  his  skepticism,  he  urged  him  to  seek  the 
solution  of  his  doubts  by  prayer  and  the  reading  of  the 
Bible.  The  young  man  finally  promised  the  doctor  that  he 
would  go  home  and  read  the  fifty-  first  Psalm  on  his  knees. 
He  kept  his  promise,  and  while  reading  he  was  convicted  of 
sm.  His  skepticism  vanished.  He  sought  and  found  salva- 
tion through  Christ,  and  last  night  stood  up  before  the 
great  congregation,  which  was  composed  of  men  only,  num- 
bering about  four  thousand,  and  told  his  experience." 

Mr.  Hammond  remained  about  nine  weeks  in  San 
Francisco.      After  lie  had  been  there  four  weeks  a 


488  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

fellow-townsman  of  Mr.  H.  wrote  to  the  Kockville, 
Conn. ,  Journal  as  follows  : 

*'  I  suppose  I  shall  not  exceed  the  truth  in  stating  that 
since  arriving  in  San  Francisco,  Mr.  Hammond  has  held 
one  hundred  services  and  spoken  to  fully  one  hundred  thou- 
sand people.  I  am  not  informed  of  the  number  of  conver- 
sions, but  know  they  reach  into  the  thousands  and  include 
among  the  number  Jews,  infidels,  heathens,  harlots,  back- 
sliders, business  men,  California  Street  brokers,  and  chil- 
dren in  large  numbers,  and,  judging  from  the  tone  of  the 
papers,  some  of  the  reporters  must  have  been  somewhat 
softened,  if  not  changed.  In  fact,  it  has  been  a  general 
revival  of  religion  among  all  classes  and  conditions  of 
men. 

"Mr.  Hammond  has  been  blessed  abundantly,  and  he 
gives  the  whole  glory  to  Christ  ;  this  seems  to  be  his  pre- 
vailing thought,  '  Jesus  does  it  all.'  " 

Dr.  A.  L.  Stone,  one  of  the  leading  pastors  in 
San  Francisco,  gives 

SOME    CHARACTERISTICS    OF    THE    WORK. 

"...  All  the  Methodist,  Baptist,  Congregational  and 
Presbyterian  churches,  with  their  pastors,  and  many  mem- 
bers of  Episcopal  churches,  here  met,  and  sang,  and  prayed, 
and  labored  together  in  this  blessed  confederation.  A  spirit 
of  fraternal  love,  tenderness,  and  confidence  has  character- 
ized, from  first  to  last,  this  intercourse  and  co-operation.  I 
know  that  I  speak  the  feelings  of  all  hearts  when  I  testify 
that  each  has  been  to  each  a  brother  and  a  helper  in  the 
Lord,  with  no  sentiment  or  sign  of  any  such  thing  as  jeal- 
ousy, or  shyness,  or  distrust. 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  489 

**  Under  such  favoring  auspices,  and  under  this  union 
banner,  Mr.  Hammond  commenced  his  labors.  His  first 
discourses  were  to  children  and  youth.  They  came  by 
thousands  to  hear  him.  His  great  theme  was,  day  after 
day,  the  love  and  sacrifice  of  Jesus.  The  preaching  was 
repeated  in  the  beautiful  hymns  of  the  '  Song  Evangel,'  the 
singing  of  which  was  a  marked  and  effective  feature  of  the 
meetings.  The  children  were  not  frightened  and  terrified 
into  a  state  of  morbid  excitement.  They  were  led  gently 
and  tenderly  to  a  waiting  Saviour.  By  many  a  beautiful 
and  varied  illustration  they  were  shown  how  the  Good 
Shepherd  was  seeking  His  straying  lambs.  Their  emotions 
in  these  meetings  were  those  of  weeping  penitence  and  joy- 
ful trust. 

"  They  entered  into  covenant  with  Jesus  as  their  Saviour 
and  Lord.  The  scenes  where  they  were  assembled  were 
scenes  of  childlike  sorrow,  gladness,  and  peace.  No  man 
who  frequented  these  meetings  could  doubt  the  genuineness 
and  wholesomeness  of  the  effects  produced.  I  think  that  in 
my  own  Sabbath-school  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
of  the  dear  children  and  youth  have  given  their  hearts  to 
Christ.  And  in  other  schools  the  proportion  has  been,  I 
believe,  quite  as  large. 

"  A  prominent  feature  of  all  the  meetings,  for  adults  as 
well  as  for  children,  has  been  and  is  the  honor  put  upon  the 
Word  of  God.  The  reading  and  expounding  of  the  Script- 
ures daily,  bringing  out  in  fresh  and  impressive  forms  the 
riches  of  the  divine  teaching,  have  kept  the  whole  move 
ment  in  closest  harmony  with  inspired  truth. 

"  God  has  been  magnified  as  a  hearer  and  answerer  of 
prayer.  Addresses  are  supplemented  with  prayer.  The 
sermon  pauses  for  prayer.  Conversation  with  inquirers  be- 
gins, proceeds,  and  concludes  with  prayer. 

"Christians  are  harnessed  into  faithful  working.     They 


490  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

are  humbled,  and  revived,  and  strengthened,  and  glad- 
dened by  this  continual  labor  for  souls  ;  following  each  dis- 
course with  personal  pleading  with  all  who  will  receive  and 
listen  to  their  words. 

"  The  sermons  are  distinctly  evangelical.  They  give  the 
marrow  of  the  gospel.  If  they  hold  up  men's  danger,  they 
show  the  way  of  life  in  a  crucified  Redeemer. 

"  The  preacher  does  not  philosophize  much,  though  a 
clear  intelligence  of  the  system  of  revealed  truth  appears  in 
every  discourse.  He  does  not  depend  upon  argument  and 
logic  ;  his  forte  is  in  illustrating  in  every  variety  of  way,  by 
figures,  and  tropes,  and  symbols,  and  especially  by  anec- 
dotes and  facts,  the  one  way  of  salvation.  He  succeeds 
wonderfully  in  leaving  the  minds  and  hearts  of  liis  hearers  in 
the  happiest  attitude  for  receiving  and  obeying  the  truth." 

FAREWELL   MEETING    AT   THE    LICK    HOUSE. 

As  guests  of  J.  W.  EL.  Campbell  a  large  company 
of  ministers  and  members  of  the  Union  Revival 
Committee,  with  their  wives,  met.  the  Rev.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hammond,  Thm-sday  evening,  April  16,  at 
the  Lick  House.  JSTearly  all  the  city  pastors  were 
present,  and  a  large  sprinkling  of  members  of  their 
flocks.  In  the  splendid  dining  hall,  where  eight 
tables  were  filled  with  guests.  Bishop  Peck  presided, 
with  Mrs.  Hammond  by  his  side,  and  the  company 
were  requested  by  him  to  rise  and  sing  grace  before 
meat,  which  made  the  hall  ring  with  sounds  novel 
to  the  waiters,  unused  to  such  an  interruption  of 
their  duties. 

After  the  supper,  the  Bishop  called  the  company 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIEIT.  491 

to  order,  and  having  expressed  his  sense  of  the 
honor  done  him  in  asking  him  to  preside  at  this 
social  interchange  of  views  and  feelings,  referred  to 
Mr.  Hammond,  ^'our  honored  fellow- worker  for 
Jesus, ' '  as  the  occasion  of  their  gathering,  and  called 
on  Dr.  Stone  to  speak  on  the  theme  thus  suggested. 

An  interesting  pamphlet  was  published  at  the 
time,  giving  a  verbatim  report  of  the  speeches  made 
at  that  meeting  and  at  the  farewell  gathering  in 
Union  Hall,  but  we  have  not  space  to  quote  from  it 
at  length. 

Rev.  Mr.  Pond  said  :  ''  The  lambs  must  be  fed  ; 
pastors,  mature  Christians,  and  Sunday-school 
teachers  must  attend  to  this.  What  a  blessing  it 
would  be  to  this  city  ten  years  hence  if  the  two 
thousand  persons  who  have  signed  the  covenant  and 
thus  expressed  their  new-found  hope  in  Christ, 
should  hold  fast  to  the  truth  and  grow  up  pillars  in 
the  temple  of  God." 

After  reading  reports  of  meetings  like  these  in 
San  Francisco,  the  question  naturally  arises  in  the 
minds  of  some,  What  shall  he  the  jperinanent  re- 
sults f 

The  following  notice  of  the  lasting  effects  of  the 
revival  in  St.  Louis,  from  the  New  York  Observer^ 
will  help  to  answer  this  question  : 

"  It  is  now  twelve  months  since  we  were  in  the  midst  of 
a  great  revival,  one  which  was  said  to  have  added  five  to 
seven  thousand  to  our  evangelical  churches.     Some  of  the 


492  THE   HAEVEST   WORK 

most  desperate  men — infidels,  drunkards,  etc. — became 
members  of  our  churches.  Those  I  have  personally  known 
have  not  only  continued  faithful,  but  have  grown  in  grace 
and  Christian  manhood.  There  may  have  been  many  who 
have  fallen,  but  I  have  not  heard  of  them.  The  pastors  do 
not  complain  of  sad  falls  and  shipwrecked  converts. 

' '  The  long  revival  of  three  months,  when  Mr.  Hammond 
was  the  central  figure,  did  not  lessen  the  influence,  in  his 
own  church,  of  any  pastor  in  the  city.  Now  we  are  having 
union  meetings  again  in  two  different  sections  of  the  city. 
They  are  conducted  similarly  to  those  of  last  winter.  Pas- 
tors of  different  churches  unite  in  conducting  the  exercises. 
The  interest  is  deepening.  We  are  hoping  to  see  blessed 
results.  Already  over  one  hundred  have  been  added  to  one 
of  our  churches." 

THE   TABERNACLE    MEETINGS    IN    OAKLAND,    CAL. 

A  correspondent  of  the  London  Christiom  writes 
as  follows  : 

"  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  has  been  for  four  months  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  he  has  so  often  told  us  of  his  experience  in 
Great  Britain,  we  feel  that  multitudes  of  Christians  there 
will  rejoice  to  hear  some  account  of  the  blessing  of  God 
which  has  followed  his  labors  here.  Never  during  our 
twenty-five  years'  existence  as  a  State  has  there  been  any 
such  movement  of  the  great  masses  of  our  population  as  the 
present. 

' '  After  spending  some  weeks  in  our  neighboring  city,  San 
Francisco,  he  came  to  Oakland,  and  held  his  first  public 
meeting  on  Sunday  afternoon,  April  18th.  Oakland  is  a 
conservative,  dignified  city  ;  she  aspires  to  be  the  '  Athens 
cf  the  Pacific,'  and  is  cautious  of  innovations.  This  spirit 
extends  even  to  our  churches,  and  many  of  their  members 


OF  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  493 

and  some  pastors  did  not  cordially  approve  of  the  invitation 
which,  by  vote  of  the  majority,  was  extended  to  Mr.  Ham- 
mond. Yet  they  resolved  to  lay  aside  all  personal  preju- 
dice, and  aid  him  in  his  labors,  which  God  had  so  signally 
owned  elsewhere.  The  first  meeting  was  for  children,  and 
filled  to  overflowing  the  largest  church  in  the  city.  At  its 
close  an  inquiry  meeting  was  held,  and  many  expressed 
themselves  anxious  in  regard  to  their  eternal  welfare.  In 
the  evening  such  a  throng  assembled  that  a  second  church 
was  opened  and  filled  to  overflowing.  During  the  following 
days  the  interest  so  increased  that  it  was  evident  some 
larger  place  of  meeting  must  be  provided.  The  committee 
of  arrangements,  therefore,  caused  to  be  erected  a  large 
pavilion,  capable  of  seating  thirty-five  hundred  people,  and 
affording  standing  room  for  one  thousand  more.  This 
building  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity. 

* '  On  the  platform  with  Mr.  Hammond  were  clergymen  of 
every  Protestant  denomination,  who  rendered  valuable  aid 
in  the  inquiry  meeting.  To  insure  some  degree  of  system, 
the  pavilion  was  divided  into  sections,  for  each  one  of 
which  one  man  was  responsible  in  endeavoring  to  see  that 
no  one  was  passed  by  who  desired  a  word  of  religious  in- 
struction. While  this  personal  effort  was  going  on,  the 
choir  continued  singing,  and  there  was  not  a  night  when 
many  did  not  linger,  till,  at  eleven  o'clock  or  later,  the  gas 
was  turned  ofE,  and  they  reluctantly  left  the  place." 

At  the  end  of  Mr.  Hammond's  three  weeks'  labor 
ten  hundred  and  fifty  had  expressed  a  hope  in 
Christ,  and  given  in  their  names  and  ages.  It  is 
estimated  that  nearly  as  many  more  have  begun  the 
new  life,  and  this  out  of  a  population  of  only  twenty 
thousand. 


494  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

A  professor  Id  our  Theological  Seminary, 
scholarly  and  conservative  in  an  unusual  degree, 
said  :  ''I  desire  to  thank  God  for  the  variety  of 
ways  in  which  He  speaks  to  the  sinner's  heart. 
"Words  that  would  fail  to  impress  me  bring  other 
souls  to  Christ,  and  men  whom  1  might  preach  to 
for  years  without  elBEect  are  persuaded  by  the  earnest 
call  of  our  dear  brother  to  choose  the  better  way." 

THE    COVENANT. 

In  Mr.  Hammond's  book,  '^  The  Conversion  of 
Children,"  he  gives  a  full  account  of  the  manner  in 
which  he  was  led  some  fifteen  years  ago  to  adopt 
the  use  of  what  he  calls  the  "  Covenant  Book." 
Some  well-known,  responsible  person  is  usually 
selected  by  the  pastors  to  examine  each  person  pro- 
fessing conversion,  and  to  allow  them,  if  they  choose, 
to  subscribe  their  names  to  the  following  covenant  : 

^'  I,  the  undersigned,  hope  I  have  found  Jesus,  to 
be  my  precious  Saviour  ;  and  I  promise,  with  His 
help,  to  live  as  His  loving  child  and  faithful  servant 
all  my  life. 

"  '  They  shall  ash  the  way  to  Zion  with  their 
faces  thitherward^  saying^  Come  and  let  tcs  join 
oiir selves  to  the  Lord  in  a  perpetual  covenant  that 
shall  not  he  forgotten.^ — Jeremiah  50  :  5." 

It  may  be  interesting  to  know  the  relative  ages  of 
tKose  who  signed  the  covenant  during  the  first  three 
weeks  of   the  meetings  in  Oakland.       It  will  also 


01*  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  495 

give  some  idea  of  this  characteristic  of  the  work  in 
other  places.     Dr.  R.  E.  Cole  prepared  this  table. 

AGES. 

5  to  10     109 

10  to  15     372 

15  to  20     283 

20  to  30     68 

30  to  40     29 

40  to  50     16 

50  to  60     11 

Over  60     4 

Not  given 158 

EXPEEIENCE    OF    AN    INFIDEL. 

At  one  of  the  meetings  in  the  Tabernacle  at  Oak- 
land, Mr.  Hammond  introduced  Dr.  My  rich,  who 
had  been  converted  a  few  weeks  before  in  San 
Francisco. 

"  He  said  that,  when  on  his  way  home  from  Dr.  Stone's 
church,  he  chanced  to  pass  a  place  of  infidel  convocation. 
At  his  suggestion  to  the  lady  accompanying  him  they 
stepped  in  for  a  few  minutes  to  hear  what  should  be  going 
on.  The  exercises  were  in  denunciation  of  Christianity. 
The  utterances  were  so  coarse,  so  abusive  and  withal  so  un- 
true, from  even  the  stand-point  of  an  unbeliever  in  Chris- 
tianity, which  position  the  speaker  then  held,  that  he  could 
not  forbear  taking  the  platform  when  opportunity  was 
offered.  He  could  but  feel  '  this  is  your  mother's  religion 
which  is  so  coarsely  attacked,  your  mother's  God,  your 
mother's  Bible,'  and  felt  that  his  manhood  called  upon  him 
for  some  reply.     Taking  the  stand  he  proceeded  to  speak  of 


496  THE  HAUVEST  WORK 

the  effect  of  Christianity  upon  civilization,  and  wound  up  by 
saying,  '  Where,  except  under  the  reign  of  Christianity,  can 
you  show  me  a  country  where  a  woman  sits  as  the  presiding 
oflScer  of  an  assembly  like  this  ?  Where,  except  where 
Christianity  has  made  it  possible,  can  you  find  woman  sit- 
ting side  by  side  with  man,  his  peer  in  condition  and  cult- 
ure ? '  The  speaker  related  that,  from  the  moment  of  con- 
cluding his  speech,  he  felt  self-convicted  of  the  truth  of 
Christianity,  in  a  deeper  sense  than  that  which  he  had  been 
defending.  He  resolved  to  give  way  to  this  conviction. 
He  did  so.  He  threw  himself  with  all  energy  into  the  San 
Francisco  meetings.  Did  all  he  could  for  men  of  his  own 
acquaintance,  and  of  like  standing,  in  which,  as  well  as  in 
his  personal  hope,  God  had  blessed  him  exceedingly.  This 
address  carried  great  power  with  it.  Dr.  M.  is  a  man  of 
calm  and  dignified  bearing,  of  unusually  prepossessing  ap- 
pearance, and  evidently  spoke  out  of  all  the  candor  of  sin- 
cere and  earnest  conviction. ' ' 

Mr.  Hammond  held  meetings  in  Stockton  and 
various  other  places  in  Californiaj  but  we  have  not 
space  to  give  particulars. 

•General  O.  O.  Howard  and  all  the  ministers  of 
Portland,  Oregon,  sent  him  an  urgent  invitation  to 
visit  that  city. 

A  great  work  was  accomplished  in  Oregon,  "Wash- 
ington Territory,  and  British  Columbia.  Were 
the  facts  and  incidents  connected  with  that  evan- 
gelistic journey  gathered,  a  volume  might  be  writ- 
ten.    The  record  is  on  high. 

With  one  or  two  exceptions  there  has  been  noth- 
ing said  about  the  numbers  who  professed  conver- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  497 

slon  during  Mr.  Hammond's  labors  up  and  down 
the  Pacific  coast.  It  is  impossible,  from  the  reports 
given,  to  furnish  a  correct  estimate  ;  but  some  at  the 
time,  who  were  familiar  with  the  general  results, 
expressed  the  belief  that  from  seven  to  nine  thou- 
sand professed  a  hope  in  Christ.  In  many  places 
he  only  remained  a  day  or  two  and  the  work  went 
on  long  after. 

Large  companies  of  Christian  workers  went  with 
him  through  Oregon  and  British  Columbia  and 
Washington  Territory,  and  sometimes  very  many 
in  a  short  time  professed  conversion. 

Pastors  of  the  churches  everywhere  worked  nobly 
with  Mr.  Hammond  ;  to  them  is  largely  attributed 
the  blessed  results.  In  meetings  like  these  Mr. 
Hammond  regards  himself  as  only  one  among  many 
earnest  workers,  and  he  wishes  to  give  God  all  the 
glory. 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

Alaska — Missionary  work  introduced — Indian  Chiefess — In- 
dian Doctor — Remarkable  Conversion — Answer  to  Prayer — 
Letter  from  Rev.  T.  Crosby — The  great  Glacier — Gospel 
Meetings  at  Sitka— Indians  joining  the  Church— Their  Ex- 
periences—Speech of  Indian  Chief — Child  Influence— Judge 
Sawyer — Dr.  Ruber's  experience — Mr.  Hammond's  Home — 
His  Bibles — Sermon — Oakland— Washington,  D.  C. — How 
to  promote  Revivals. 

ALASKA. 

In  the  summer  of  1875  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond, 
with  a  party  of  friends,  visited  Alaska,  five  thousand 
miles  from  New  York.  The  object  of  their  visit 
was  to  not  only  preach  to  the  heathen,  but  especially 
to  awaken  an  interest  on  the  part  of  Christians  in 
the  United  States  to  send  missionaries  among 
them.  On  his  return,  by  his  pen  and  voice,  Mr. 
Hammond  did  much  to  call  attention  to  the  need  of 
work  in  that  Territory.  Dr.  Kendall  and  Dr.  Shel- 
don Jackson  have  since  surveyed  the  field  and  sent 
earnest  missionaries  there,  who  are  now  leading 
souls  to  Christ.  A  short  stay  was  made  at  Fort 
Wrangell.  From  that  point  a  flat-boat  was  char- 
tered to  take  them  up  the  Stickeen  River  far  into 


SHELDON  JACKSON,    D.  D., 
Founder  of  American  Missions  in  Alaska. 


500  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

the  interior.  Thirty-five  miles  above  Wrangell 
they  found  between  two  mountains  three  thousand 
feet  high  an  immense  glacier  forty  miles  long,  ^ve 
miles  wide,  and  from  five  hundred  to  one  thousand 
feet  thick.  It  was  a  most  imposing  sight.  Oppo- 
site this  glacier,  just  across  the  river,  are  large  boiling 
springs.  The  water  from  these  meeting  the  ice- 
water  from  the  glacier  caused  a  cloud  of  steam  con- 
tinually to  arise.  At  one  of  these  glaciers  ships 
from  California  take  cargoes  of  ice  for  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

In  a  letter  to  the  Herald  and  Presbyter  Mr. 
Hammond  says  : 

'-'  We  are  now  on  board  the  good  steamer  Cali- 
fornia, bound  for  Sitka.  The  distance  from  Port- 
land, Oregon,  by  the  route  we  take  and  return  is 
three  thousand  miles.  All  day  yesterday  we 
seemed  to  be  sailing  up  some  majestic  river 
like  the  Hudson,  only  that  on  either  side  were 
snow-capped  mountains,  nearly  all  the  way.  Be- 
fore 1  tell  you  anything  about  our  journey  over 
these  beautiful  waters  I  must  give  you  an  account 
of  the  way  the  Sabbath-school  was  commenced  in 
which  an  Indian  chief  ess  was  converted  in 
Yictoria.  A  few  Christians  in  that  place  deter- 
mined to  do  what  they  could  for  the  Indians. 
Many  members  of  the  church  said  it  was  of  no  use. 
At  length  they  gathered  in  a  number  of  Indians, 
and  began  to  teach  them  to  read.     One  Sunday 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  501 

there  was  not  .an  Indian  present.  They  therefore 
started  over  to  the  Indian  ram,cJierie  to  find  why- 
there  were  none  at  the  Sunday-school.  As  they 
approached  the  rancherie  they  heard  a  terrible 
shouting  and  yelling,  and  saw  about  seventy-five  in 
a  circle,  making  the  most  hideous  noise  vtdth  drums, 
rattles,  kettles,  dancing  round  the  man  who  stood 
in  the  centre  holding  a  dog  by  his  hind  legs  and  his 
neck.  This  man  was  taught  by  the  Indian  custom 
that  if  he  could  thus  hold  the  dog  and  tear  him  to 
pieces  with  his  teeth  and  eat  him,  and  then  go  into 
the  woods  without  any  blanket  and  come  back  alive 
after  three  days,  he  was  fitted  for  an  Indian  doctor. 
At  first  they  all  looked  like  evil  spirits,  for  they 
w^re  so  painted,  some  of  them  covered  with  tar  and 
feathers,  that  they  looked  Hke  no  human  beings. 
The  poor  dog  they  soon  saw  torn  from  limb  to  limb 
and  half  eaten  up.  Among  those  very  Indians 
were  numbers  who  are  to-day  earnest,  devoted 
Christians.  Amos  was  the  first  one  who  was  con- 
verted. I  heard  him  tell  his  experience  a  few  days 
ago  in  one  of  our  meetings.  His  eyes  filled  with 
tears  as  he  spoke  of  the  great  love  of  Jesus  in 
giving  Himself  to  die  for  a  poor  heathen  savage. 
These  Indians  have  built  a  nice  little  church. 
There  they  meet  and  study  God's  Word,  and  sing 
and  pray.  None  of  the  Indians  feel  they  are  too 
old  to  study  the  Word  of  God,  hence  there  were 
more  adults  than  children  present  in  their  Sunday- 


502  THE   HAKVEST   WORK 

school.  Nearly  every  one  of  them  wept  when  they 
stood  up  and  told  the  story  of  their  conversion.  I 
felt,  as  I  had  never  done  before,  the  truth  of  the 
words  of  Jesus,  '^  And  I,  if  1  be  lifted  up,  will  draw 
all  unto  me."  Yes,  the  poor  Indians,  when  they 
see  how  Jesus  has  loved  them  and  given  Himself 
for  them,  feel  their  hearts  in  return  going  out  in 
love  to  Him.  At  the  farewell  meeting  in  Victoria 
five  or  six  hundred  people  walked  across  the  plat- 
form to  shake  hands  with  us,  and  among  them  were 
thirty  or  forty  of  these  Indians.  Nearly  every  one 
of  them  wept  as  they  bade  me  good-by.  At 
Nanaimo  we  fell  in  with  an  Indian  missionary,  who 
took  us  in  a  canoe  to  a  village  where  were  several 
hundred  Indians.  There  we  found  a  church  and 
street  on  which  were  houses  built  by  Christians,  in 
which  everything  was  clean  and  comfortable  ;  but 
in  the  same  village  we  saw  the  wretched  abode  of 
the  heathen  Indians.  In  a  great  building,  made  of 
rough  boards,  with  leaky  roof  of  the  same,  live  from 
fifty  to  two  hundred  of  these  wild  Indians,  huddled 
together  like  animals.  There  is  no  chimney  in  this 
great  rough  building  ;  all  the  smoke  finds  its  way 
through  cracks  in  the  roof  and  sides.  "When  the 
Indians  fill  it  at  night  and  fires  are  burning  in 
different  parts  of  it,  it  looks  more  like  some  dark 
cavern  filled  with  evil  spirits.  If  I  had  never  be- 
lieved in  the  power  of  the  gospel,  a  visit  to  this 
Indian  village  would  have  been  enough  to  convince 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIEIT.  503 

me  of  the  truth  of  it.  Kev.  Mr.  Punshon  was 
there  a  few  years  ago,  and  gave  a  glowing  account 
of  it  in  a  lecture  in  Exeter  Hall,  London.  The 
first  Indian  who  was  converted  in  this  village,  about 
fourteen  years  ago,  took  us  in  his  canoe,  made  out 
of  a  log,  on  a  fishing  excursion  in  the  straits  of 
Georgia.  I  was  more  interested  in  hearing  the  story 
of  his  conversion  than  in  trying  to  catch  salmon  and 
trout.  As  you  have  been  reading,  my  dear  friend, 
of  these  savage  Indians  being  led  to  Christ,  have 
yoic  been  able  to  say,  '  I,  too,  love  that  same  Jesus 
who  is  so  dear  to  them  ? '  If  not,  let  me  entreat  of 
you  this  very  hour,  make  him  your  Friend  and 
Saviour.  He  bids  you  come  to  Him  just  as  you 
are.  Do  not  try  to  make  yourself  better  first,  but 
trust  in  Him,  and  He  by  His  Holy  Spirit  will 
change  your  heart  and  make  you  happy  in  His  love. 
I  heard  to-day  of  a  gentleman  who  saw  a  dog  jump- 
ing into  his  garden.  He  threw  his  cane  at  him,  in- 
tending to  hit,  but  the  dog  picked  it  up  and  in  a 
good-natured  manner  brought  it  to  him,  as  much  as 
to  say,  '  You  tried  to  kill  me,  but  1  brought  your 
staff  to  you.'  The  gentleman's  heart  was  touched, 
and  after  that  he  allowed  the  dog  to  come  into  his 
garden  whenever  he  chose.  That  dog  would  not 
run  away  from  his  enemy,  but  sinners,  old  and 
young,  often  run  away  from  Jesus,  their  best 
Friend,  though  He  bids  them  come  to  Him,  that  He 
may  make  them  happy  now  and  hereafter." 


504  THE   HARVEST  WORK 

In  a  letter  to  the  Christian  at  Work  he  speaks  of 
the  remarkable  conversion  of  an  Indian  chiefess  : 

''  1  have  just  returned  from  an  Indian  Sunday- 
school  here  at  Yictoria,  in  British  Columbia,  and  in 
it  I  found  a  noble  chiefess,  who  spoke  in  the  meet- 
ing yesterday.  Her  people  live  about  six  hundred 
miles  north  of  here.  She  was  their  born  chiefess. 
About  seven  years  ago  she  came  here  to  live,  where 
she  saw  large  churches,  in  which  she  was  told  the 
people  were  taught  how  to  love  God  and  get  fitted 
for  a  better  world.  For  seven  long  years  she  went 
to  church,  all  the  time  anxious  about  her  soul  ;  but 
no  one  ever  invited  her  to  come  to  Jesus.  One  day 
she  was  passing  by  a  Sunday-school,  and  through 
the  open  door  she  saw  the  children  at  their  lessons, 
and  asked  a  child  at  the  door  if  she  could  go  in. 
She  did  so,  and  there  heard  of  how  Jesus  had  died 
on  the  cross  for  sinners.  Her  heart  was  touched, 
and  before  long  she'  learned  to  trust  Him.  Her 
soul  was  then  so  filled  with  holy  joy  that  she  wanted 
all  her  friends  to  come  to  Jesus.  She  therefore 
went  among  them  and  urged  them  to  attend  the 
Sunday-school.  Little  by  little  they  came  in,  till 
scores  of  them  also  began  to  love  the  Saviour.  At 
the  same  time  she  felt  a  great  burden  for  the  con- 
version of  her  son,  who  lived  six  hundred  miles 
north  at  Fort  Simpson,  with  his  tribe.  Whole 
nights  she  spent  in  prayer  that  the  Lord  would 
send  him  down  here,  that  he  might  hear  Amos,  the 


OF  THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  505 

converted  Indian,  pray  in  the  Sabbath-school  as  she 
had,  and  so  find  his  heart  moved  as  hers  had  been. 
This  son  was  a  terror  to  all. 

^'  But  what  was  the  result  ?  Just  this  :  he  took 
his  wife  and  uncle  and  started  in  a  little  canoe  on  a 
journey  of  six  hundred  miles — all  in  answer  to 
prayer.  He  knew  not  what  he  was  taking  that  long 
journey  for,  but  the  Lord  did,  and  so  did  his 
mother,  the  chief  ess.  As  soon  as  he  reached  here 
she  began  to  tell  him  all  about  Jesus,  and  got  him 
to  go  with  her  to  the  Indian  Sunday-school.  He 
went,  but  did  not  like  it  at  first ;  but  her  faith  failed 
not.  Again  he  went,  and  heard  the  same  converted 
Indian,  Amos,  pray.  He  then  began  to  tremble 
with  astonishment  to  hear  a  hated,  flat-head, 
degraded  Indian  pray.  When  a  boy  he  had  been 
taught  to  read,  but  his  mother  had  not  then  learned 
to  read.  She  said  to  him  :  '  You  know  how  to 
read,  and  you  must  read  for  me  the  fourteenth 
chapter  of  John. '  He  did  so.  His  heart  melted  ; 
and  as  she  explained  to  him  about  the  way  of  salva- 
tion through  the  finished  work  of  Christ,  he  could 
not  resist  such  love  ;  and  so  this  wicked  man,  who 
had  scalped  many  a  one,  came  as  a  lost,  guilty  sin- 
ner to  the  Saviour's  open  arms.  His  sins  were  all 
forgiven,  his  heart  changed,  and  his  soul  filled 
with  a  new  love.  He  then  begged  that  some  one 
go  back  with  him  to  his  tribe.  As  soon  as  a  mis- 
sionary was  promised  him,  he  started  back  to  tell 


506  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

his  people  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  on  the  cross 
for  them.  1  am  told  that  he  led  about  three  hun- 
dred of  those  wild,  blood-thirsty  Indians  to  the  foot 
of  the  cross.  When  the  missionary  some  time  after 
went  among  them,  they  met  him  twelve  miles  below 
the  landing,  and  took  him  off  the  steamboat  on  board 
their  war  canoe,  and  it  was  hours  before  he  was 
through  shaking  hands  with  them,  for  every  one  of 
them  would  have  a  shake  of  his  hand. 

^^  The  good  work  is  still  going  on,  and  many 
more  are  being  led  to  Christ.  As  soon  as  these 
heathen  were  converted  they  brought  their  idols  to 
the  missionary  ;  and  when  he  returned  here  a  few 
months  ago,  he  brought  back  a  wagon-load  of  all 
kinds  of  idols  and  images  with  him.  General 
Howard,  who  was  up  there  a  few  weeks  ago,  told 
me  that  he  never  was  in  a  more  delightful  meeting 
in  his  life.  He  was  very  anxious  that  we  should 
stop  there  and  see  them.  How  thankful  we  should 
be  that  we  have  such  a  Saviour,  who  is  able  to  save 
these  wicked  Indians,  and  all  who  will  trust  in 
Him.  Do  you  love  Him,  my  friend  ?  Is  He  your 
Saviour  ?     If  not,  do  come  to  Him  at  once." 

LETTER    FROM    REV.     T.     CROSBY,    MISSIONARY    TO 
FORT    SIMPSON,    B.    C. 

"Fort  Simpson,  January  30,  1880. 
' '  My  dear  Brother  :  You  ask  if  the  chief  aud  his  wife  are 
still  living  for  Jesus.     I  am  glad  to  tell  you  they  are  ;  they 
have  just  returned  from  Rit-a-mat,  one  hundred  and  sixty 


OF   THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  507 

miles  from  here,  where  we  have  a  little  church  and  an  ap- 
pointment, where  they  have  spent  four  months,  he  as 
teacher,  and  wife  as  missionary  teacher.  Alfred's  mother  is 
now  living  at  this  place,  and  works  and  lives  for  Jesub. 

"  We  have  work  all  around  us  still,  hundreds  of  unsaved 
poor  people  without  the  gospel.  Our  day-school  numbers 
about  one  hundred  ;  Sunday-school  about  the  same.  Oh, 
may  God  send  us  a  glorious  revival  !     Amen  I" 


SITKA. 

In  this  place  Mr.  Hammond  held  meetings  in  an 
old,  forsaken  Russian  church.  Representatives 
from  two  tribes  of  Indians,  with  their  chiefs,  were 
present.  Thej  were  dressed,  many  of  them,  in  a 
most  grotesque  manner.  In  attempting  to  imitate 
the  whites,  they  did  so  only  in  part.  An  Indian 
costume  surmounted  with  a  stove-pipe  hat  did  not 
appear  quite  in  keeping,  to  say  the  least.  While  Mr. 
Hammond  was  preaching  they  often  interrupted 
him.  They  had  no  idea  of  taking  seats  in  a  pew 
like  white  people.  Some  were  sitting  on  their 
heels,  others  on  the  back  of  the  seats,  others  at 
times  stood  talking  in  little  groups,  only  half  hsten- 
ing  to  what  was  said.  One  man  interrupted  Mr. 
Hammond,  saying,  ^' We  know  about  God  as  well 
as  you  do.  We  know  He  made  that  great  moun- 
tain [pointing  away  to  Mount  St.  EHas,  over  nine- 
teen thousand  feet  high].  We  know  He  put  the 
salmon  in  the  rivers  for  us,  but  we  never  heard  be- 
fore of  this  Jesus.     Did  He  really  die  for  us  poor 


508  THE  HARVEST   WORK. 

Indians  /"  This  fact,  above  all  others,  moved  their 
hearts  and  hrought  tears  to  their  eyes.  At  the  close 
of  each  service  Mr.  Hammond  held  an  inquiry- 
meeting  ;  numbers  remained.  Some  appeared  deep- 
ly moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  with  tearful  eyes 
prayed  for  the  pardon  of  their  sins.  That  must 
have  been  tJie  first  inquiry -meeting  held  in  Alaska  y 
thanh  God  it  has  not  heen  the  last.  Dr.  Sheldon 
Jackson's  interesting  work  on  Alaska  testifies  to 
this  fact. 

''  Sitka  Jack,"  one  of  the  chiefs,  was  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  meetings,  and  asked  many  questions. 
Four  years  after  Mr.  Hammond  and  his  party 
visited  Alaska,  twenty-three,  in  one  day,  in  the 
presence  of  Rev.  H.  Kendall,  D.D.,  and  Dr.  Jack- 
son, were  received  into  the  church  on  examination. 
Eighteen  of  these  were  Indians  and  received  bap- 
tism. Rev.  L.  Hall  Young  was  much  blessed  of 
God  in  leading  the  Indians  to  Christ.  From  Dr. 
Jackson's  work  we  quote  the  following  testimonies, 
given  at  the  examination  for  church  membership  at 
Wrangall  : 

*'  MoBES  Louie. — '  I  am  a  sinner — very  evil.  My  hope  is 
that  God  had  sent  His  Son  to  wash  away  my  guilt.  I 
believe  that  God  has  given  me  a  new  heart.  I  love  to  pray 
daily  for  strength.  I  want  only  one  mind  toward  Chris- 
tians. ' 

''  Martha  (wife  of  Moses).' — '  I  have  learned  about  God 
and  Christ  and  want  them  to  have  pity  on  me.  Will  try  to 
obey  God  as  long  as  I  live,  not  in  my  own  strength,  but 


bio  THE  HARVEST   WORK. 

pray  God  for  strength.     Daily  pray  God  to  have  pity  on 
me.' 

"  Matthew  Shakats.— '  Formerly  blind  in  sin.  Very 
long  time  in  sin.  Think  God  has  changed  my  heart,  and  I 
want  to  come  out  on  God's  side.  I  have  had  much  trouble, 
and  want  the  help  of  the  church  and  of  God.  Learned  of 
God  that  Jesus  died  for  me.  Now  carry  my  sins  to  God 
and  have  hope. ' 

"  Aaron  Kohanow. — '  I  understand  very  solemn  thing 
to  join  the  church.  Indians  don't  understand  as  well  as 
white  men  about  it.  Willing  to  go  on  boking  to  God  to 
help  me.  Understand  how  Christ  has  spoken  that  I  must 
be  born  again.  I  want  the  new  birth.  I  ask  God  to  give 
me  a  new  heart.  God  hear  me.  Take  my  sins  and  troubles 
to  God.'  (Aaron  was  formerly  a  shaman  and  sorcerer. 
Upon  his  conversion  destroyed  all  the  implements  of  his 
sorcery.) 

"  Annie  (Aaron's  wife). — '  I  was  sick  and  told  God.  I 
wanted  to  walk  with  God's  people.  Always  bad  before, 
because  I  did  not  know  about  God.  Now  I  know  about 
Him  and  want  to  follow  Him.  The  Lord  Jesus  knows  that 
I  am  a  sinner  and  He  died  for  me.' 

*'  Jonathan  Katanakb  (leading  councillor  of  the  head 
chief). — '  Willing  to  try  and  obey  God.  Know  how  God 
pity  on  us.  Died  for  me— pains  for  my  sins — pities  me, 
and  teaches  me  to  live  aright.  I  try  to  do  it.  I  give  my 
heart  to  Him.  I  do  not  disbelieve  about  God— how  He 
saved  me— I  know  it.  I  nearly  lost.  He  stretched  out 
His  hand  and  pulled  me  back.  I  feel  it.  Willing  to  leave 
all  earthly  things.  I  want  to  live  as  God  says.  Not  my 
strength,  only  if  God  helps.  Don't  say  this  to  make  men 
believe.  God  knows  my  heart.  I  want  to  live  in  His  sight. 
When  a  boy  I  went  to  Victoria  and  heard  some  one  say  the 
Son  of  God  died  for  people's  sins.     I  did  not  know  then. 


512  THE    HARVEST   AVORK 

When  sickness  come,  then  I  ask  the  Son  of  God  to  save 
me.  Did  not  ask  that  sickness  go  away,  but  that  He  save 
me.     God  heard  me,  therefore  I  believe.' 

"  Jeremiah  O'unk. — '  I  love  God  and  want  to  be  a 
Christian.  When  young,  ray  hair  was  black,  and  I  never 
heard  of  God.  Now  I  am  getting  old — my  hair  is  white, 
and  I  hear  about  God,  and  want  to  love  Him  and  obey  Him. 
One  time  I  heard  about  God.  Fort  Simpson  people  say, 
believe  God  and  I  would  be  saved.  I  try  to  believe  Him. 
I  give  my  heart  to  God,  and  want  to  do  what  is  right.  I 
am  a  sinner.  I  always  before  do  bad  toward  God,  but  when 
I  heard  that  Jesus  die  for  my  sins,  I  believe.  Formerly  I 
talk  bad  and  strike  my  wife  and  children.  Now  I  try  to  do 
right,  and  I  pray  God  to  help  me  do  right.' 

"  ToY-A-ATT  (chief). — '  How  many  sins  we  must  quit  on 
earth  !  The  serpent,  he  make  us  blind.  That  the  reason 
we  live  so  poor.  Now  God  show  Himself  to  us  and  we 
believe.  You  know  all  about  how  I  formerly  lived.  How 
I  was  all  the  time  in  trouble  and  quarrelling — all  the  time 
when  the  ball  or  knife  go  through  me.  Now  I  quit  it  all. 
Jesus  help  me.  I  live  peaceably.  I  always  ask  God  give 
me  a  new  heart.  Bible  tells  how  Jesus  lived  on  earth — not 
proud.  The  Son  of  God,  He  washed  His  disciples'  feet.  I 
wash  all  the  brethren's  feet.  Two  things  I  want  :  Be  like 
little  children  ;  thank  God  help  us  always.  Formerly  I 
love  myself.  Didn't  want  to  die  quick — all  blind  heart. 
Now  I  know  better,  and  want  to  love  every  one.  I  love  my 
enemies,  and  pray  God  to  save  them.  I  pray  God  send 
ministers  and  teachers.  God  hear  my  prayer.  I  very 
happy.'  " 

At  Wrangell,  where  about  five  hundred  whites 
and  a  thousand  Indians  were  congregated,  a  meeting 
was  called  to  introduce  some  form  of  government. 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  513 

'^  The  great  speech  of  the  Convention  was  that  of  Chief 
Toy-a-att  before  a  crowded  audience  of  whites  and  Indians. 
We  give  it  as  reported  in  the  Port  Townsend  Weekly  Argus  : 

*'  *  My  brothers  and  friends,  I  come  before  you  to-day  to 
talk  a  little,  and  I  hope  you  will  listen  to  what  I  say,  and 
not  laugh  at  me  because  I  am  an  Indian,  I  am  getting  old, 
and  have  not  yet  many  summers  to  live  on  this  earth.  I 
want  to  speak  a  little  of  the  past  history  of  us  Stickeen 
Indians  and  of  our  present  wants.  In  ages  past,  before 
white  men  came  among  us,  the  Indians  of  Alaska  were 
barbarous,  with  brutish  instincts. 

"  'Tribal  wars  were  continual,  bloodshed  and  murder  of 
daily  occurrence,  and  superstition  controlled  our  whole 
movements  and  our  hearts. 

"  '  The  white  man's  God  we  knew  not  of.  Nature 
evinced  to  us  that  there  was  a  First  Great  Cause  ;  beyond  all 
that  was  blank.  Our  god  was  created  by  us  ;  that  is,  we 
selected  animals  and  birds,  the  images  of  which  we  revered 
as  gods. 

"  '  Natural  instincts  taught  us  to  supply  our  wants  from 
that  which  we  beheld  around  us.  If  we  wanted  food,  the 
waters  gave  us  fish  ;  and  if  we  wanted  raiment,  the  wild 
animals  of  the  woods  gave  us  skins,  which  we  converted  to 
use.  Implements  of  warfare  and  tools  to  work  with  we 
constructed  rudely  from  stone  and  wood.  [Here  the 
speaker  showed  specimens  of  stone  axes  and  weapons  of 
warfare.] 

"  '  These,'  said  he,  holding  them  up  to  view,  '  we  used 
in  the  place  of  the  saws,  axes,  hammers,  guns,  and  knives 
of  the  present  time.  Fire  we  discovered  by  friction. 
[Here  he  demonstrated  how  they  produced  fire.] 

"  '  In  the  course  of  time  we  became  aware  of  the  fact 
that  we  were  not  the  only  beings  in  the  shape  of  man  who 
inhabited  this  earth.     White  men  appeared  before  us  on  the 


614  THE  HAEVEST  WORK 

surface  of  the  great  waters  in  large  ships,  which  we  called 
canoes.  Where  they  came  from  we  knew  not,  but  supposed 
that  they  dropped  from  the  clouds.  The  ships'  sails  we 
took  for  wings,  and  concluded  that,  like  the  birds  of  the 
air,  they  could  fly  as  well  as  swim.  As  time  advanced,  the 
white  men  who  visited  our  country  introduced  among  us 
everything  that  is  produced  by  nature  and  the  arts  of  man. 
They  also  told  us  of  a  God,  a  Superior  Being,  who  created 
all  things,  even  us,  the  Indians.  They  told  us  that  this 
God  was  in  the  heavens  above,  and  that  all  mankind  were 
His  children.  These  things  were  told  us,  but  we  could  not 
understand  them. 

"  'At  the  present  time  we  are  not  the  same  people  that 
we  were  a  hundred  years  ago.  Contact  and  association 
with  the  white  man  has  created  a  change  in  our  habits  and 
customs.  We  have  seen  and  heard  of  the  wonderful  works 
of  the  white  man.  His  ingenuity  and  skill  has  produced 
steamships,  railroads,  telegraphs,  and  thousands  of  other 
things.  His  mind  is  far-reaching  ;  whatever  he  desires  he 
produces.  His  wonderful  sciences  enable  him  to  under- 
stand nature  and  her  laws.  Whatever  she  produces  he  im- 
proves upon  and  makes  useful. 

*'  *  Each  day  the  white  man  becomes  more  perfect  in  the 
arts  and  sciences,  while  the  Indian  is  at  a  standstill.  Why 
is  this  ?  Is  it  because  the  God.  you  have  told  us  of  is  a 
white  God,  and  that  you,  being  of  His  color,  have  been 
favored  by  Him  ? 

"  '  Why,  brothers,  look  at  our  skin  ;  we  are  dark,  we  are 
not  of  your  color,  hence  you  call  us  Indians.  Is  this  the 
reason  that  we  are  ignorant ;  is  this  the  cause  of  our  not 
knowing  our  Creator  ? 

"  *  My  brothers,  a  change  is  coming.  We  have  seen  and 
heard  of  the  wonderful  things  of  this  world,  and  we  desire 
to  understand  what  we  see  and  what  we  hear.     We  desire 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  5l5 

light.  We  want  our  eyes  to  become  open.  We  have  been 
in  the  dark  too  long,  and  we  appeal  to  you,  my  brothers, 
to  help  us. 

*'  *  But  how  can  this  be  done  ?  Listen  to  me.  Although 
I  have  been  a  bad  Indian,  I  can  see  the  right  road,  and  I 
desire  to  follow  it.  I  have  changed  for  the  better.  I  have 
done  away  with  all  Indian  superstitious  habits.  I  am  in 
my  old  age  becoming  civilized.  I  have  learned  to  know 
Jesus,  and  I  desire  to  know  more  of  Him.  I  desire  educa- 
tion, in  order  that  I  may  be  able  to  read  the  Holy  Bible. 

"  '  Look  at  Fort  Simpson  and  at  Metlakatla,  British  Co- 
lumbia. See  the  Indians  there.  In  years  gone  by  they 
were  the  worst  Indians  on  this  coast,  the  most  brutal,  bar- 
barous, and  blood-thirsty.  They  were  our  sworn  enemies, 
and  were  continually  at  war  with  us.  How  are  they  now  ? 
Instead  of  our  enemies  they  are  our  friends.  They  have 
become  partially  educated  and  civilized.  They  can  under- 
stand what  they  see  and  what  they  hear  ;  they  can  read  and 
write,  and  are  learning  to  become  Christians.  These 
Indians,  my  brothers,  at  the  places  just  spoken  of,  are  Brit- 
ish Indians,  and  it  must  have  been  the  wish  of  the  British 
Queen  that  her  Indians  should  be  educated.  We  have  been 
told  that  the  British  Government  is  a  powerful  one,  and  we 
have  also  been  told  that  the  American  Government  is  also 
a  powerful  one.  We  have  been  told  that  the  President 
of  the  United  States  has  control  over  all  the  people,  both 
whites  and  Indians.  We  have  been  told  how  he  came  to  be 
our  great  chief.  He  purchased  this  country  from  Russia, 
and  in  purchasing  it  he  purchased  us.  We  had  no  choice 
or  say  in  change  of  masters.  The  change  has  been  made, 
and  we  are  content.     All  we  ask  is  justice. 

'* '  We  ask  of  our  father  at  Washington  that  we  be  recog- 
nized as  a  people,  inasmuch  as  he  recognizes  all  other 
Indians  in  other  portions  of  the  United  States. 


5l6  THE  HAEVEST  WORK 


"  '  We  ask  that  we  be  civilized,  Christianized,  and  edu- 
cated.' " 


CHILD   INFLUENCE. 

In  an  address  to  Sunday-school  teachers  at  Harris- 
burg  Mr.  Hammond  spoke  as  follows  : 

*'  Every  Christian  and  Sunday-school  teacher  acknowl- 
edges the  power  which  converted  children  often  exercise 
over  godless  parents,  in  leading  them  to  Christ.  But  we 
are  sometimes  led  to  feel  this  truth  more  deeply  when  we 
see  little  children  actually  leading  their  parents  to  Jesus. 
The  other  evening,  in  the  Opera  House  at  Harrisburg,  a 
gentleman  came  to  me  during  the  inquiry-meeting,  and  with 
great  earnestness  said,  '  Do  come  with  me  and  see  this  little 
girl  weeping  on  the  neck  of  her  father.'  He  led  me  through 
the  crowded  audience  almost  down  to  the  door,  where  hun- 
dreds of  men  were  standing  closely  together.  In  one  of  the 
back  seats  I  saw  a  little  girl  who  had  found  the  Saviour  a 
few  days  before,  with  both  her  arms  around  her  father's 
neck.  With  the  great  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks  she 
was  pleading  with  him  to  come  to  Jesus.  Though  I  was 
asked  to  speak  with  him,  I  did  not  dare  to  interrupt  this 
little  girl  ;  but  I  crept  up  slowly  behind  and  listened  to  her 
earnest  words. 

"  '  Dear  father,  won't  you  come  to  Jesus  ?  Don't  you  re- 
member, when  by  that  accident  you  were  almost  killed, 
you  said  you  would  be  good  afterward,  but  you  did  not  come 
to  Jesus  ?  You  forgot  all  about  Him  after  a  little  and 
became  as  wicked  as  ever.  You  would  be  so  happy  if  you 
would  only  trust  Him.  You  know  what  a  wicked  girl  I 
was,  and  how  I  disobeyed  you  and  mother  ;  but  after  I  came 
to  Jesus  and  got  a  new  heart,  I  became  a  better  girl.  How 
can  you  help  loving  such  a  precious  Saviour  ?  for  He  loves 


OF   THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  617 

you,  father,  He  died  that  dreadful  death  on  the  cross  that 
your  sins  might  be  forgiven,  and  won't  you  come  to  Him  ?  * 

*'  I  stooped  over  and  said,  *  Will  you  not  listen  to  these 
earnest  entreaties  of  your  darling  child  ? '  His  only  answer 
was,  '  I  am  seriously  considering  the  subject.'  At  this  his 
child  wept  louder  than  ever  and  said,  '  Oh,  papa,  don't 
reject  such  a  precious  Saviour  ;  you  will  be  lost  forever  if 
you  do.'  But  he  would  not  yield,  and  as  the  meeting 
closed  the  dear  child  seemed  heart-broken. 

*'  A  few  nights  after  a  young  lady  came  to  me  and  said, 

*  My  father  is  up  in  the  men's  inquiry-room,  and  my  little 
sister  is  there  pleading  with  him  to  come  to  Jesus.  Will 
you  go  and  speak  to  him  ? '  As  I  entered  the  room  I 
found  over  a  hundred  men  in  Rev.  Dr.  Robinson's  church, 
every  one  of  them  on  their  knees,  and  many  of  them  sob- 
bing aloud  under  terrible  conviction  of  sin.  The  young 
lady  led  me  to  her  father,  and  there  I  found  his  little 
daughter  no  longer  pleading  with  him  to  come  to  Jesus, 
but  thanking  God  that  he  was  coming.  Her  left  arm  was 
thrown  around  his  neck  ;  her  right  hand  was  uplifted  and 
she  said,  '  Oh  God,  I  thank  thee  that  my  dear  papa  is  com- 
ing to  Jesus.  Dear,  precious  Saviour,  I  know  thou  wilt 
receive  him.  Thou  hast  said,  "  He  that  cometh  unto  me  I 
will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  '  His  handkerchief  was  wet 
with  tears — of  godly  sorrow  for  sin.  I  believe  that  angels 
were  rejoicing  at  that  touching  sight.  So  many  others 
were  asking  the  way  of  life  that  I  had  to  leave  the  father 
and  child  upon  their  knees  in  prayer  and  praise  together. 

"  A  few  days  after,  just  as  I  was  starting  with  a  company 
of  young  converts  and  Christians  for  Newville,  a  gentleman 
came  to  my  room  and  said,  '  Would  you  like  my  little 
daughter  to  go  with  you  to  Newville  ? '  '  Who  is  she  ? '  I 
asked.     'Why,  don't  you  remember  me?'     'No,'  said  I, 

*  I  am  sure  I  never  saw  your  face  before.'    And  indeed  I 


518  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

had  never  seen  but  a  portion  of  it,  for  it  was  mostly  covered 
with  his  hand  and  handkerchief  while  his  little  daughter 
was  pleading  with  him  to  come  to  Jesus.  '  Oh, '  said  I,  '  is 
it  you,  and  did  Jesus  give  you  that  smiling  face  ?  Has  He 
answered  your  dear  child's  prayers  ? '  '  Yes,  I  believe  He 
has.  We  now  have  prayer  in  our  family  and  I  thank  God 
for  my  praying  child. '  She  went  with  me  to  Newville  and 
there  told  the  story  of  her  conversion  in  such  a  tender 
manner  to  the  children  that  many,  who  had  been  unmoved 
by  all  that  I  had  said,  were  melted  to  tears,  and  I  believe 
have  been  led  to  seek  and  find  the  Saviour. 

"  May  God  give  us  more  faith  in  the  conversion  of  chil- 
dren, and  in  their  power  to  lead  hardened  sinners  to  the 
foot  of  the  cross.  God  grant  that  every  Sunday-school 
teacher  may  at  once  set  about  leading  their  scholars  to 
Christ,  and  rest  not  until  they  are  led  to  rejoice  in  Him. 
May  the  Holy  Spirit,  dear  teacher,  help  you  to  believe  the 
words  of  Jesus,  '  And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth, 
will  draw  all  unto  me. '  Our  Saviour  did  not  say  all  men, 
but  alh  Yes,  thank  God,  when  little  children  see  how 
Jesus  has  loved  them  and  died  for  them,  and  when  in 
simple  language  it  is  explained  to  them  how  Jesus  took 
their  place,  suffered  in  their  stead,  and  '  bore  their  sins  in 
His  own  body  on  the  tree, '  they  can  but  exclaim  : 

"  *  Now  I  feel  this  heart  of  stone 
Drawn  to  love  God's  holy  Son  ; 
Lifted  up  on  Calvary, 
Suffering  shame  and  death  for  me. 

*' '  Jesus,  take  this  heart  of  mine. 
Make  it  pure  and  wholly  thine  ; 
Thou  hast  bled  and  died  for  me, 
X  will  henceforth  live  for  thee,'  " 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  619 

NASHUA. 

Judge  A.  W.  Sawyer,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
New  Hampshire,  under  date  of  November  20th, 
1876,  wrote  from  Manchester  to  a  friend  in  New- 
buryport,  Mass.,  as  follows  :  ^*  I  am  holding  court 
here  and  shall  have  no  time  to  go  to  Newburyport, 
but  can  frankly  say  Mr.  Hammond  was  dearly  be- 
loved by  all  denominations  at  Nashua.  I  hope  Mr. 
Hammond  will  go  to  Newburyport,  I  feel  like 
vouching  for  his  behavior.  God  has  blessed  his 
efforts  in  every  place  where  he  has  been.  He  is 
the  best  evangelist  I  know  of,  and  I  have  heard 
several. " 


The  London  Christian  contains  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  remarkable  work  of  God's  Spirit  in 
Newville,  Pa.,  together  with  the  experience  of  Dr. 
Huber  : 

"  In  the  year  1875  Mr.  Hammond  spent  a  few  days  in 
Newville,  Pa.,  and  the  wonderful  results  which  followed  are 
still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  Those  meetings  will 
be  long  remembered  by  me  personally,  for  it  was  through 
their  influence  that  I  was  led  to  a  new  life. 

"  I  went  to  them  with  no  friendly  feeling.  I  left  my 
place  of  business  with  the  determination  to  criticise,  but 
came  back  a  convicted  sinner.  In  the  back  seat  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  Mr.  H.  found  me,  and  asked,  '  Do  you 
ever  pray  ?  '  to  which  I  answered  in  the  negative. 

*'  He  evidently  knew    by  my  appearance  that  I  was  a 


520  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

godless  man.  By  my  side  sat  my  associates,  ready  to  join 
me  in  opposing  any  effort  to  do  us  good.  He  spoke  a  few 
kind  words  and  asked  me  to  attend  the  meeting  the  next  day. 

"  While  on  my  way  to  church,  accompanied  by  my  wife, 
he  overtook  me,  and  during  his  conversation  said,  '  Doctor, 
you  are  too  good  a  man  to  be  lost. '  During  his  sermon  that 
Sabbath  morning,  when  the  feeling  in  the  audience  was  very 
deep,  he  mentioned  my  name,  and  looking  me  in  the  face, 
said,  '  If  you  would  give  yourself  to  Sim  who  hied  and  died 
for  you  and  come  out  boldly  on  the  Lord^s  side,  forty  men  in 
Newville  would  follow  you.'' 

"  At  the  close  of  the  sermon  he  came  directly  to  me  and 
said,  '  Will  you  forgive  me  for  mentioning  your  name  pub- 
licly ?  I  never  did  such  a  thing  before. '  With  tears  in  ny 
eyes,  I  said,  '  I  thank  you  for  it ;  by  the  help  of  the  Lord  I 
will  try  and  be  a  Christian. ' 

"  The  next  morning  I  stood  up  in  the  old  Presbyterian 
Church,  publicly  avowed  my  determination  to  forsake  my 
sinful  ways  and  trust  in  Him  *  who  loved  me  and  gave 
himself  for  me.'  Erelong  great  peace  and  joy  filled  my 
soul  ;  a  wonderful  change  came  over  me.  Things  I  loved 
before  I  hated,  and  the  good  things  I  before  hated  I  loved. 
From  that  hour  my  heart  went  out  to  the  evangelist,  and  I 
have  loved  him  ever  since.  I  know  there  are  many  in  New- 
ville who  feel  toward  him  as  I  do.  Nearly  one  fourth  of  our 
population  at  the  time  professed  conversion.  Mr.  Hammond, 
and  the  thirty  or  forty  from  Harrisburg,  only  remained  in 
our  little  town  two  days  ;  yet,  out  of  a  population  of  about 
two  thousand,  four  or  five  hundred  professed  conversion. 
It  has  been  stated  that,  as  a  result  of  the  meetings  conduct- 
ed by  Mr.  Hammond  during  the  brief  period  of  five  weeks 
in  Harrisburg  and  Cumberland  Valley,  there  was  reason  to 
believe  that  there  were  not  less  than  three  thousand  conver- 
sions. 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT.  521 

"  With  these  personal  and  general  facts  before  me,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  I  desired  to  see  my  old  friend  at  his 
home  in  Vernon,  Conn.  It  is  a  beautiful  town  in  the  Con- 
necticut Valley,  on  the  line  of  the  New  York  and  New  Eng- 
land Railroad.  Mr.  Hammond's  ancestors  for  generations 
have  lived  in  this  locality. 

"  On  my  arrival  I  found  Mr.  Hammond  unpacking  his 
trunks,  as  he  had  .iust  returned  from  a  series  of  meetings  in 
New  York  and  Brooklyn.  In  Brooklyn  he  held  meetings 
mostly  in  the  Tabernacle  of  Dr.  Talmage,  by  special  invita- 
tion of  the  pastor.  It  is  well  known  that  the  capacity  of  that 
building  is  from  four  thousand  to  five  thousand.  A  series 
of  meetings  in  a  place  like  that,  where  people  attend  from 
all  parts  of  the  city  and  country,  must  have  been  one  of 
great  influence.  In  a  letter  from  Dr.  Talmage  he  said, 
'  Eternity  alone  can  reveal  the  good  accomplished.' 

"  The  evangelist  spent  several  weeks  this  spring  in  the 
Bermudas,  a  group  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  islands 
seven  hundred  miles  south-east  from  New  Y^'ork.  He  there 
held  crowded  meetings  in  the  Presbyterian,  Episcopal,  and 
Methodist  churches,  all  denominations  uniting  in  the  effort. 
O^er  seven  hundred  professed  conversion  during  the  eigh- 
teen days  he  and  his  party  were  there." 

Woodbine  Cottage,  Vernon,  Conn.,  August,  1879. 

THE    HOME   OF   REV.    E.    P.    HAMMOND. 

Mr.  C.  A.  Jones,  son  of  Kev.  Peter  Jones, 
known  in  Canadian  history  as  a  most  successful 
worker  among  the  red  men  of  that  country,  over 
whom  he  was  missionary  and  chief  for  a  number  of 
years,  thus  gives  the  following  description  of  Mr, 
Hammond's  home  : 


522  THE   HAEVEST   WORK 

"  Last  winter  in  the  city  of  Brantford,  Ont.,  the  ministry 
and  laity  of  that  city  enjoyed  the  revival  labors  of  the  evan- 
gelist, the  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond.  Great  good  resulted.  I 
speak  from  a  personal  knowledge  and  acquaintance  with 
the  work,  and  from  a  layman's  standpoint,  and  am  able  to 
state,  from  an  interview  with  the  pastors,  made  during  the 
month  of  July,  that  between  five  and  six  hundred  have  been 
added  to  the  roll  of  membership  of  the  various  churches 
there. 

*'  These  figures  do  not  touch  the  number  of  children 
converted,  nor  those  living  in  the  surrounding  towns 
and  villages,  who  were  brought  in  by  the  revival,  and 
does  not,  in  fact,  give  all  who  were  converted  in  Brant- 
ford, but  is  near  enough  to  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  of 
the  work. 

*'For  my  vacation  I  accepted  an  invitation  from  Mr. 
Hammond  to  visit  him  at  liis  home. 

"  Thus  it  is  that  I  can  now  speak  personally  of  '  Wood- 
bine Cottage  '  and  its  inmates,  and  report  one  of  the  most 
profitable  and  pleasant  excursions  of  my  life. 

''  The  evangelist's  home  is  located  two  miles  from  Ver- 
non Station,  Conn.,  which  is  twelve  miles  from  Hartford 
Capitol.  The  Hammonds  on  the  father's  side  are  descend- 
ed from  an  old  family  who  came  over  to  England  with 
William  the  Conqueror,  and  whose  names  are  registered  in 
*  the  Battle  Abbey  '  at  Hastings.  Thomas  Hammond  came 
to  America  in  1635,  and  settled  in  Hingham,  Mass.  His 
mother  was  a  descendant  of  George  Griswold,  of  Kenil- 
worth,  Warwickshire,  England,  who  came  to  this  country 
in  1635. 

"  Connecticut  received  two  governors  from  this  family. 
About  one,  Roger  Griswold,  a  grandson  of  that  worthy 
divine,  Jonathan  Edwards,  writes  :  '  He  was  a  great  law- 
yer, and  a  man  of  greater  abilities  and   talents  than  any 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  523 

that  ever  held  the  office  of  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connec- 
ticut. ' 

"  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  on  both  father's  and  mother's 
side  Edward  Payson  has  some  of  the  best  New  England 
blood  in  his  veins. 

*'  *  Woodbine  Cottage  '  is  a  neat  Gothic  frame  structure, 
painted  a  delicate  drab.  From  the  lawn  and  croquet 
ground  on  the  western  side  of  the  house,  on  a  clear,  fine 
day,  a  glimpse  of  Hartford  and  the  new  Capitol  is  obtain- 
able. 

"  The  eye  can  catch  a  fine  panoramic  view  of  the  beauties 
of  the  Connecticut  Valley  from  any  side  of  the  cottage. 
The  rolling  hills  and  the  white  cottages  peeping  out  from 
the  deep  green  surroundings  of  trees  and  grass,  form  many 
a  pretty  picture  upon  which  the  tired  city  resident  can  gaze 
for  the  hour  with  profit  and  relief.  The  grass-plot  on  the 
northern  view,  which  lies  on  the  Rockville  Road,  has  a 
miniature  pyramid  of  rocks  and  shells,  over  which  a  fountain 
is  continually  throwing  its  spray.  These  stones  and  shells 
could  each,  if  they  had  tongues,  tell  a  history  of  their  own, 
for  they  have  come  to  this  quiet  resting-place  with  the 
evangelist  and  his  wife  from  the  cold  mountains  of  Alaska, 
the  bright  waters  of  the  Adriatic,  the  historic  shores  of 
Galilee,  and  many  other  places  of  note  in  Holy  Land  his- 
tory. The  '  Curiosity  Shop  '  of  this  cottage  contains  a  num- 
ber of  relics,  the  result  of  travel  in  foreign  parts. 

"  To  Bishop  Gobat  and  lady,  Mr.  Hammond,  while  hold- 
ing children's  meetings  in  Jerusalem,  was  indebted  for 
what,  he  was  informed,  is  a  correct  representation  of  the 
crown  of  thorns  with  which  our  blessed  Saviour's  head  was 
crowned.  Rosaries  of  olive  wood  from  Bethlehem,  and  of 
pearl  from  the  Red  Sea,  representing  the  faith  of  the  Mo- 
hammedan and  the  Roman  Catholics,  can  here  be  seen  by 
the  curious. 


524  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

*'  One  Bible,  which  Mr.  Hammond  values  greatly,  is  the 
volume  out  of  which  the  Evangelist  Whitefield  once 
preached,  as  is  certified  by  the  following  on  a  fly-leaf  :  '  This 
is  the  book  out  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  Whitefield 
preached  a  sermon  when  the  foundation  of  Tottenham 
Court  Road  Chappie  was  Layd,  being  on  the  10th  day  of 
May,  1756.  The  text  was  taken  from  the  third  chapter  of 
Ezra  and  11th  verse. — Robt.  Sanders.' 

"  Perhaps  one  of  the  greatest  curiosities  Mr.  Hammond 
has  in  his  house — at  any  rate,  the  one  he  places  the  greatest 
value  upon — is  his  collection  of  Bibles.  The  Bagsters,  includ- 
ing that  of  his  wife,  are  eight  in  number.  A  glance  or  a 
study  of  these  would  be  interesting  to  any  biblical  student. 
From  Genesis  to  Revelation  every  verse  shows  marks  of  the 
earnest  student,  and  the  wonder  is  that  with  red  marks  and 
black  and  marginal  notes,  so  much  extraneous  matter  could 
be  got  into  the  Bible.  He  has  used  these  Bibles  since  his 
first  evangelistic  visit  to  Scotland,  now  twenty  years  ago, 
and  some  of  them  are  almost  worn  to  shreds  with  use. 

"  One  of  the  greatest  sources  of  amusement  is  pretty  Poll, 
the  parrot.  This  deep  green  bird  is  a  great  talker,  and 
delights  in  making  the  air  ring  with  such  remarks  as  '  Polly 
wants  her  head  scratched,'  '  Edward,'  '  Ida,'  '  How  do  you 
do,'  '  Good-by,'  etc. 

**  The  home  life  of  the  evangelist  is  not  one  of  idleness. 
It  is  a  change  indeed  from  the  seven  to  eight  months  of  day 
and  night  work  in  crowded  audience  rooms,  but  I  can  certify 
that  the  evangelist  of  Vernon  is  a  human  busy  bee.  When 
he  is  not  to  be  found  in  his  study  reading  and  answering  a 
large  correspondence,  or  writing  books  for  children  and 
adults,  he  is  at  work  in  his  garden,  or  going  on  errands  of 
mercy  to  his  neighbors,  or  telb'ng  in  some  country  church 
the  story  of  the  cross. 

''  From  five  in  the  morning  until  the  evening  shadows 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  6^5 

fall,  this  hard-working  man  is  about  doing  good.  For  over 
thirty  years  Mr.  Hammond  has  at  times  gone  in  and  out  be- 
fore the  congregation  of  the  neat  village  church  of  Vernon, 
visiting  the  good  people  of  the  country-side,  and  sympathiz- 
ing and  assisting  them  in  their  afflictions  and  trials.  The 
consequence  is,  that  through  the  Connecticut  Valley  the 
name  of  this  evangelist  is  honored,  and  many  a  farmer  in 
his  field  and  mechanic  at  his  bench  blesses  the  day  when 
E.  Payson  Hammond  told  him  the  story  of  his  life  motto  ; 
*  Looking  only  unto  Jesus.'  " 


HOW    CAN    WE    PROMOTE    GENUINE   REVIVALS  f 

In  an  article  to  a  New  York  weekly  Mr.  Ham- 
mond answers  this  question. 

One  of  the  leading  objects  of  this  book  is  to 
stimulate  God's  people  to  labor  more  earnestly,  in- 
telligently, and,  we  may  add,  scripturally,  for  the 
immediate  salvation  of  those  of  all  ages.  The  fol- 
lowing answers  to  the  above  question  should  have 
more  weight  from  the  fact  that  they  are  given  as 
the  result  of  long  experience  with  God's  blessing  in 
leading  souls  to  Christ. 

First,  every  Christian  believes  that  a  genuine  re- 
vival is  the  work  of  God's  Spirit.  The  great  re- 
vival on  the  day  of  Pentecost  was  the  worJc  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  given  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  faith. 
Every  revival  must  be  preceded  by  that  same 
prayer,  coming  from  hearts  deeply  burdened  for  the 
salvation  of  the  perishing.  Last  winter,  in  San 
Jos6,  California,  two  all-night,  prayer-meetings  were 


5^6  THE  HAEVE^T   WOR]^ 

held.  Like  Jacob,  God's  people  wrestled,  and  like 
Jacob  they  prevailed.  The  results  were  seen  at 
once  in  the  increased  power  with  which  the 
*'  Sword  of  the  Spirit"  penetrated  the  hearts  of 
sinners. 

In  Dubuque,  Iowa,  a  series  of  meetings  were 
commenced.  Sermons  which  had  been  preached  in 
other  places  and  blessed  in  the  conversion  of  many 
souls  were  powerless.  Mr.  Millard,  the  city  mis- 
sionary, proposed  an  all-night  prayer-meeting. 
Every  one  present  at  the  meeting  must  have  felt 
that  those  who  plead  for  a  deeper  work  of  grace  in 
the  hearts  of  Christians  and  for  the  awakening  and 
conversion  of  sinners,  knew  what  it  was  to  '^  com- 
ply with  the  conditions  of  prevailing  prayer."  The 
very  next  night  a  solemnity  rested  down  upon  the 
audience  that  was  unmistakable  in  its  indications. 
A  prominent  gambler  was  led  to  cry  for  mercy. 
After  a  severe  struggle  he  was  enabled  to  rejoice  in 
the  '^  finished  work"  of  Christ.  During  these  years 
past,  I  am  told,  he  has  led  a  consistent  Christian  life. 

Secondly^  prayer  and  the  use  of  appropriate 
means  must  go  hand  in  hand. 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  not  bound  to  any  one  set  of 
agencies  in  the  promotion  of  a  revival  of  religion. 
The  ''truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus"  must  be  faithfully 
preached,  and  sinners  shown  their  relation  to  God 
as  under  this  moral  government.  Every  one  under- 
stands this,  but 


Ot*  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  527 

HOW  TO    AROUSE    A    SLEEPING    CHURCH 

and  arrest  the  attention  of  the  careless,  is  a  difficult 
problem. 

The  theory  that  God  will  not,  in  large  numbers, 
convert  sinners  while  His  people  are  asleep  or  in- 
different, is  correct.  But  in  my  experience  I  have 
found  it  not  wise  to  preach  a  long  series  of  sermons, 
as  some  do,  to  the  church,  but  rather  relying  on  the 
prayers  of  the  few,  to  begin  at  once  and  preach  to 
sinners,  believing  that  even  the  sight  of  a  few 
weeping  penitents  will  do  more  to  cuwaken  cold- 
hearted  professors  than  any  sermon  that  can  he 
delivered  hy  mam>. 

Then,  when  Christians  find  they  are  not  ready  to 
talk  with  those  who  are  saying  :  '^  Tell  me  what  I 
shall  do  to  be  saved  ?■ '  they,  too,  will  be  thus 
brought  under  conviction,  and  will '''  look  unto  Him 
whom  they  have  pierced  and  mourn."  Nothing 
tends  more  to  humble  God's  people  than  the  fact 
that  in  their  midst  are  sin-burdened  souls  inquiring 
the  way  of  life,  and  that  their  hearts  are  so  cold  and 
lifeless  that  they  cannot  take  them  by  the  hand  and 
point  them  to  the  bleeding  Son  of  God.  Often 
sinners  are  deeply  convicted  of  sin,  and  only  need 
earnest,  judicious  Christians  to  take  them  by  the 
hand  and  lead  them  to  Jesus. 

I  remember  that  President  Tuttle,  of  Wabash 
College,  came  home  from  a  morning  service  con- 
ducted by  one  of  the  ministers  of  Cincinnati,  and 


528  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

said  :  "  We  had  a  most  powerful  sermon,  and,  if 
it  had  been  followed  by  an  inquiry-meeting,  many 
would  have  been  led  to  Christ."  That  faith  and 
holy  boldness  which  accompany  deep  humility  and 
self-abnegation  are  needed  at  such  times  to  lead 
God's  people  to  go  at  once  among  the  impenitent, 
and  to  point  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  I  often 
think  of  those  words  of  our  Saviour  in  Mark  4  :  15: 
''  These  are  they  by  the  wayside  where  the  Word 
is  sown  ;  but  when  they  have  heard,  Satan  cometh 
immediately,  and  taketh  away  the  Word  that  was 
sown  in  their  hearts."  Dr.  Edward  Payson,  one  of 
his  old  deacons  told  me,  was  in  the  habit  of  asking 
every  unconverted  person  in  the  audience  to  remain 
in  the  church  after  preaching,  and  there,  in  the 
atmosphere  of  prayer,  to  urge  Christians  to  go 
''  immediately,"  before  Satan  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  ^^  snatching  away  the  seed,"  to  talk  and 
pray  with  them,  and  to  seek  to  lead  them  to  the 
Saviour. 

Oh,  that  Christians  all  over  the  land  felt  the  re- 
sponsibility of  leading  sinners  around  them  to 
Christ. 

I  have  frequently  been  in  great  audiences  where 
hundreds,  and  sometimes  thousands,  were  moved 
by  the  Spirit  to  ask  :  "  What  shall  we  do  to 
be  saved  ?"  and  where  but  few  Christians  were 
ready  to  take  them  by  the  hand  and  lead  them  to 
Jesus. 


OF   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  529 

GOD    FORGIVE    TJ8    THAT   WE    HAVE    SO    LITTLE    COMPAS- 
SION   FOR   THE    PERISHING  ! 

During  the  past  summer  I  have  seen  among  some 
of  the  converted  Indians  in  British  Columbia  and 
Alaska  more  burden  for  the  salvation  of  the  lost 
than  is  generally  observed  among  our  Eastern 
churches.  We  speak  of  sinners  being  '^  gospel- 
hardened  ;"  is  it  not  in  a  measure  true  also  of 
average  Christians.  Here,  in  West  Philadelphia, 
I  found  it  most  difficult  to  induce  a  good  deacon  to 
move  about  in  the  church  during  the  inquiry-meet- 
ing and  talk  with  the  anxious.  But  when,  at  last, 
he  did  so,  one  of  the  first  he  met  was  his  own 
daughter,  rejoicing  in  Jesus,  and  then  another,  and 
still  another,  and  last  night,  in  ^ '  the  praise  meet- 
ing, "  he  thanked  God  for  the  conversion  of  three 
of  his  children. 

While  in  Alderney,  an  island  in  the  English 
Channel,  I  visited  an  old  castle  built  by  Lord 
Essex,  and  heard  the  following  touching  incident 
concerning  his  sad  death  : 

Queen  Elizabeth,  aware  of  the  impetuous  temper 
and  unguarded  words  of  her  favorite  Lord  Essex, 
on  one  occasion  presented  him  with  a  ring,  which 
she  desired  him  to  send  to  her  in  any  emergency, 
promising  that  it  should  insure  his  safety  and  pro- 
tection. Having  joined  in  a  treasonable  conspiracy 
he  was  imprisoned  in  the  Tower.  The  Queen,  ex- 
pecting to  receive  the  ring,  delayed  passing  the  sen- 


530  THE  HAEVEST  WORK 

tence  of  death.  When,  however,  some  time  passed 
and  it  did  not  arrive,  she  signed  the  warrant,  and 
Essex  was  executed.  Two  years  afterward  the 
Countess  of  Nottingham,  on  her  death-bed,  con- 
fessed that  the  ring  had  been  sent  to  her  by  Essex 
to  deliver  to  the  Queen,  but,  being  a  concealed 
enemy  to  him,  she  never  gave  it.  After  receiving 
this  intelligence  the  Queen  was  never  known  to  pass 
one  happy  day. 

That  countess  had  it  in  her  power  to  save  Lord 
Essex's  life.  She  could  at  once  have  secured  a  par- 
don for  him.  "When  Queen  Elizabeth  found  out 
her  neglect,  she  seized  her  and  fairly  shook  her. 
No  words  were  severe  enough  to  express  her  indig- 
nation. 

Is  it  not  possible  that  you  are  even  now  in  a  posi- 
tion where  you  might  carry 

A  BLOOD-BOUGHT  PARDON  TO  THOSE  *'  CONDEMNED 
ALREADY. " 

God  grant  the  '''  blood  of  souls"  may  not  be 
found  on  your  skirts. 

A  few  weeks  ago  we  sailed  from  Victoria  in 
British  Columbia  to  San  Francisco,  on  board  the 
Pacific,  to  all  appearances  a  noble  steamer.  Our 
state-room  was  on  the  upper  deck,  and  we  were 
often  thrown  in  with  the  ofiicers,  and  had  constant 
opportunity  of  mingling  with  the  crew.  A  week 
ago  last  Thursday  Captain  Howell  and  his  officers 


OI'  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  531 

and  crew,  and  all  on  board  (nearly  two  hundred  and 
forty  souls)  with  the  exception  of  two,  'perished  with 
the  Pacific.  Oh  !  if  I  had  only  known  that  in  a 
few  short  days  every  one  of  those  brave  ofiScers 
must  appear  before  God  in  judgment,  how  much 
more  earnest  I  should  have  been  to  sound  the  warn- 
ing :  *'  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God  !' '  Would  that  I 
had,  with  tears,  plead  with  them  to  ' '  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come  !" 

Around  you^  dear  friend,  are  those  who  must 
soon  die.  Have  you  done  all  in  your  power  to 
win  them  to  Christ  ?  Read  the  life  of  Robert 
McCheyne,  and  seek  to  imitate  his  tearful  earnest- 
ness in  saving  souls. 

I  never  read  Paul's  parting  words  to  the  Ephe- 
sians  without  deep  self-abasement.  He  could  say  : 
**  Remember y  that  hy  the  space  of  three  years  1 
ceased  not  to  warn  every  7na/n,  night  and  da/y  with 
Uars:'     (Acts  20  :  31.) 

' '  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  pre- 
cious seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoic- 
ing, bringing  his  sheaves  with  him."     (Ps.  126  :  6.) 

DuKiNG  THE  PAST  WINTER  Mr.  Hammoud  has  held 
meetings  in  Philadelphia,  Darby,  Millville,  and 
Camden,  N.  J.  In  various  places  in  Western  New 
York  he  labored  for  twelve  weeks.  In  most  of 
these  places  the  work  of  God's  Spirit  continued 
long  after  the  evangelist  left. 


532  THE  HARVEST   WORK 

The  Kew  York  EvomgeUst^  in  a  recent  number, 


"  The  evangelistic  labors  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  in 
Addison,  Hornellsville,  Hammondsport,  and  other  places 
in  Western  New  York  have  been  remarkably  successful. 
Hundreds  have  been  aroused  from  a  sluggish,  spiritual  con- 
dition to  a  closer  walk  with  God  and  zeal  in  His  service. 
Other  hundreds  have  been  made  to  realize  their  lost  condi- 
tion out  of  Christ,  and  to  come  unto  Him  in  the  exercise  of 
repentance  and  faith.  The  editor  of  the  Steuben  Courier  at 
Bath  solicited  from  our  pastors  in  the  first  three  villages 
above  named  an  account  of  the  results  of  Mr.  Hammond's 
work  among  them  and  their  opinion  of  his  methods.  Their 
replies  are  published  in  the  Courier  of  last  week,  and  com- 
mend in  the  warmest  terms  the  course  he  has  pursued. 
Rev.  B.  Bosworth  says  :  '  The  largest  congregations  that 
have  ever  assembled  in  Hammondsport  on  any  occasion 
have  listened  to  the  faithful,  searching,  and  yet  tender  pre- 
sentation of  gospel  truth,  and  many  with  tearful  eyes.  This 
is  altogether  the  most  extensive  and  vital  religious  movement 
this  vicinity  has  experienced  for  a  generation,  and  it  seems 
not  yet  to  have  reached  its  height.'  Dr.  Niles  writes  : 
*  Hornellsville  has  been  thoroughly  stirred  by  the  power  of 
the  gospel.  Mr.  Hammond  is,  I  am  sure,  a  man  of  God,  and 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  more  I  know  him  the  better 
I  like  him.  These  three  points  constitute  the  central  truths 
of  his  preaching  :  man  ruined  by  sin,  saved  by  the  blood 
OP  Jesus,  and  kegenerated  only  by  the  Holy  Spirit.* 
The  Hammondsport  Herald  says  :  '  The  work  has  been  the 
one  absorbing  theme  of  conversation,  not  only  in  the  village, 
but  on  the  hills,  in  the  valley,  and  in  every  direction.  Dele- 
gations have  been  present  on  different  occasions  from  Bath, 
Wayne,   Pulteney,   Prattsburg,    Mitchellville,    and   in   fact 


OF  THE  HOLY   SPIRIT.  633 

from  every  quarter  for  miles  around.  Mr.  Hammond  has 
won  his  way  to  hundreds  of  hearts  who  will  have  lasting 
gratitude  and  love  for  him  and  the  Master  in  whose  name 
he  works.'  " 

Dr.  J.  C.  Jackson,  the  founder  of  the  ^*  Sanita- 
rium" in  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  at  Mr.  Hammond's 
closing  meeting  in  that  place  spoke  as  follows  : 

'^  I  am  sure  that  I  shall  only  express  the  feelings 
of  all  Christians  in  the  house  when  I  say  that  the 
going  away  from  us  of  Brother  Hammond  will  be  an 
occasion  of  sadness  and  joy  commingled.  He  has 
labored  faithfully  for  our  advancement  in  the 
divine  life.  To  those  of  us  who  were  followers  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  when  he  came  here,  it  is  not  too 
much  for  me  to  say  that  through  his  labors  we  have 
all  been  quickened  ;  we  have  been  greatly  benefited. 
Our  inner  Kves  have  taken  the  place  of  our  ordinary 
external  lives,  and  we  have  made  advancement 
toward  heaven.  We  shall  all  think  of  him,  pray 
for  him,  love  him,  when  he  shall  have  gone  out  from 
among  us  ;  quite  likely  a  large  majority  of  us  will 
never  again  behold  his  face.  Certainly  those  of  us 
who  are  old  cannot  rationally  hope  to  have  so  great 
a  privilege.  You  who  are  younger  may  meet  him 
elsewhere  than  here  ;  if  you  should  do  so  you  will 
be  thankful  for  the  opportunity,  I  know. 

''  He  came  among  us  a  man  heralded  ;  we  had 
heard  of  him  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  our  eyes 
have  seen  him  now,  and  all  the  horrible  and  terrible 


534  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

tales  that  are  told  of  him  in  places  where  he  has  not 
been  were  told  of  him  before  he  came.  How  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  put  all  this  falsehood  to 
shame,  how  He  has  cleared  our  vision,  and  made  us 
see  in  this  devoted  apostle  of  His  a  man  set  apart 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach  repentance  and  remis- 
sion of  sins  to  all  who  beKeve  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

'^  We  who  live  here  and  were  Christians  when  he 
came  have  had  our  hearts  made  glad,  and  our  eyes 
have  been  rejoiced  to  see  so  many  young  men, 
young  women,  boys  and  girls  rise  up  at  the  different 
meetings  and  express  their  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  so  that  all  these  hearts  which  used  to  beat 
and  throb  in  the  service  of  sin  now  palpitate  with 
love  and  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  It  is  a  won- 
derful change  which  one  undergoes  when  he  is  con- 
verted from  the  service  of  Satan,  who  is  the  prince 
of  evil,  to  the  service  of  Jesus  the  King  of  men,  the 
Wonderful,  the  Counsellor,  the  Everlasting  Father, 
the  Mighty  God,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

*'  For  myself,  what  can  I  say  ?  Mr.  Hammond 
with  his  wife  has  been  for  weeks  the  guest  of  our 
home  on  the  hillside.  Its  proprietors  have  made 
them  welcome  and  have  done  everything  they  could 
to  make  their  stay  pleasant  and  comfortable.  I 
have  an  abiding  faith  that  in  the  days  to  come, 
when  in  all  probability  I  shall  have  found  ^^the 
beautiful  shore,"  and  shall  have  entered  upon  my 


OF   THE  HOLY    SPIRIT.  535 

home,  my  residence  in  the  land  of  the  blessed,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hammond  will  think  of  their  visit  here 
and  of  their  lodgment  in  our  beautiful  Sanitarium 
with  feelings  full  of  gladness  and  of  joy. 

*'  I  have  had  such  an  opportunity  as  has  not  been 
given  to  you  en  masse  to  make  Mr.  Hammond' s  ac- 
quaintance. That  acquaintance  has  ripened  into 
love. 

His  face  will  never  fade  from  my  sight  while  I 
have  vision  on  earth.  I  am  sure  that  I  shall  see  him 
when  I  have  gone  to  heaven.  I  have  been  greatly 
helped  by  his  ministrations,  and  I  trust  that  out  of 
these  in  my  last  lingering  days  on  earth  grow  up  a 
holier  purpose  and  a  purer  determination  and  a 
clearer  vision  of  life  for  me,  so  that  I  may  walk  up 
and  down  my  little  remaining  path  of  life  before 
you,  impressed  with  the  love  of  God,  so  that  in 
whatever  way  I  meet  you  1  may  be  able  to  illustrate 
the  power  of  everlasting  life  which  Jesus  can  confer 
upon  a  dying,  sinful  man. 

^*  To  you  who  have  been  in  attendance  on  these 
meetings  and  have  listened  to  all  he  has  said,  have 
heard  the  prayers  that  he  has  made  and  the  prayers 
of  the  pastors  of  these  churches  and  their  members, 
and  have  not  given  yourselves  to  the  Lord  Jesus  as 
yet ;  beloved,  you  do  not  know  what  a  mistake  you 
have  made  (Mr.  Hammond — that's  true  ;  that's  the 
sad  thought  with  me  to-night),  and  when  days  shall 
come  to  you  and  go,  and  you  shall  remain  out  of 


536  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

Christ,  not  touched  by  the  blessed  Holy  Spirit  to 
give  you  wisdom  and  strength  for  this  world's 
struggles,  its  troubles  and  trials,  its  perplexities  and 
great  vexations  of  spirit,  when  you  are  alone,  and 
reflection  comes  to  you,  you  will  remember  what  I 
now  tell  you,  that  you  made  a  great  mistake  in  not 
bringing  yourselves  into  close,  helpful,  and  life-giv- 
ing alliance  with  Him. 

'^  I  declare  to  you  that  the  grandest  achievement 
that  a  man  ever  makes  in  this  world  is  that  which 
he  makes  when  he  yields  himself  to  the  control  of 
the  divine  Spirit  and  becomes  a  follower  of  Jesus 
the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  I  do  hope 
you  will,  in  the  meetings  which  are  yet  to  be  held 
after  Mr.  Hammond  has  gone  away,  come  here  in 
true  and  manly  spirit  ;  for  it  is  no  derogation  to 
one's  manliness  to  become  a  Christian. 

^*  "We  live  in  a  healthy  region  ;  we  have  most 
beautiful  scenery  ;  we  have  great  opportunities  for 
growth  and  development.  We  want  the  continu- 
ation of  this  divine  inspiration  to  quicken  our  peo- 
ple, and  our  town  will  be  known  all  over  the  land 
as  one  which  has  been  greatly  blessed  by  God  in 
this  movement,  which  is  no  more  to  be  led  by  our 
brother  and  friend.  Kemember  that  such  a  man  as 
he  is  always  hated  by  the  powers  of  evil.  There- 
fore, when  he  goes  out  from  among  us,  let  us  follow 
him  with  our  prayers,  and  cherish  him  deeply  in  our 
hearts  with  imperishable  love,  and  may  God  bless 


OF   THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  537 

him  in  the  labors  of  life  before  him,  and  give  him 
great  strength  and  wisdom  and  grace  to  perform 
this  to  the  honor  of  the  Master  whom  he  serves. " 

It  has  been  found  impossible  to  give  a  full  and  in 
some  instances  a  connected  account  of  Mr.  Ham- 
mond's labors  for  the  Master. 

Several  years,  including  that  in  which  he  labored 
in  Washington,  D.  C,  have  been  omitted  almost 
entirely. 

At  some  future  time,  it  is  hoped,  another  book 
will  be  written,  giving  an  account  of  these  harvest 
scenes. 

The  following  propositions  we  think,  are  establish- 
ed in  the  pages  of  this  narrative. 

1.  Eevivals  come  not  by  any  sovereign  interposi- 
tion, apart  from  the  responsibility  of  the  church,  in 
securing  the  salvation  of  men.  In  every  case,  so 
far  as  we  can  trace  the  history.  Christians,  at 
least  a  small  company  of  God's  people,  have  "  set 
their  faces  to  seek  the  Lord," — often  by  fasting  and 
prayer,— then  have  used  the  means,  personal  effort, 
and  calling  in  such  aid  as  God's  Spirit  led  them  to 
accept. 

Usually,  while  some  have  expected  a  blessing,  the 
work  of  grace  has  been  carried  forward  under  God, 
by  a  minority  of  the  nominal  membership  of  the 
church.  That  is  to  say,  a  majority  have  floated  on 
the  tide  of  feeling,  or  been  indifferent.  A  part  only, 
have  manifested  Hving  sympathy  with  Christ  in  his 


538  THE   HARVEST   WORK 

travail  of  soul,  and  efforts  to  save  the  perishing.  So 
that,  the  believing  should  neither  "  make  haste,"  nor 
wait  till  the  church  as  a  body  are  awake. 

2.  The  inquiry  meeting  has  been  especially  bless- 
ed, and  for  reasons  very  simple  and  influential.  The 
minds  of  the  people  are  in  the  best  possible  condi- 
tion for  hopeful  effort  in  leading  to  Christ,  when  the 
truth  is  freshly  laid  upon  them,  in  an  atmosphere 
of  prayer,  pervaded  by  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  the  difficulties  to  be  met,  stand  clearly 
before  the  conscience. 

Besides,  the  opportunity  itself  developes  and 
brings  to  the  surface,  conviction  which  had  been 
hidden  for  months  or  years,  because  no  personal 
effort  in  their  behalf  had  called  it  forth.  And  far- 
ther, the  sight  of  a  single  anxious  sinner  will  affect 
the  inactive  Christian  more  than  many  sermons ; 
and  often  make,  also,  impenitent  observers  thought- 
ful. No  other  means  of  promoting  a  revival  has 
been  more  signally  successful.  This  demonstrates 
the  affirmation  of  one  who  has  had  much  experience 
in  revivals,  "  that  God  is  always  in  advance  of  his 
church."  Christians  are  not  watching  and  waiting 
to  be  "  led  by  the  Spirit." 

3.  The  masses  of  every  community,  who  do  not 
attend  the  sanctuary,  and  are  overlooked  to  a  great 
extent  in  the  ordinary  means  of  grace,  have  been 
reached  alone  by  unusual  methods  to  gain  the  listen- 
ing ear ;  such  as  inviting  them  to  come,  and  open- 


OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIl.  589 

ing  a  temple  or  hall  freely  to  them  ;  or  in  the  open 
air,  bringing  to  bear  upon  them,  the  agencies  of  sal- 
vation. 

4.  Children  can  be  converted,- —  and  oftener  than 
otherwise,  are  made  the  first  fruits  and  earnest,  of  a 
glorious  harvest  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  com- 
mand of  Him  who  took  them  in  his  arms,  rings  over 
the  generations  since  that  hour,  but  imperfectly 
heard  and  heeded  by  the  church  of  his  love,  "  suffer 
the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them 
not." 

5.  The  simple  gospel,  presented  directly  and 
earnestly  to  the  conscience,  is  "  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation."  In  no  instance  has  a  revival  or 
conversion  been  traced  to  logically  powerful  or 
elaborate  sermons  as  such  ;  but  oftener  than  other- 
wise to  the  repeated  text  of  God's  word ;  a  fearless, 
tender  appeal,  or  a  tearful  declaration  of  what  God 
has  done  for  the  soul.  Sermons  and  the  pastorate 
are  indispensable,  but  successful,  in  proportion  to 
the  Scriptural  simplicity,  and  adaptation  of  the  truth 
and  labor,  in  the  ministry  and  laity,  to  the  com- 
mon thought  and  experience,  accompanied  with  be- 
lieving prayer. 

6.  The  power  of  a  revival,  and  consequently  its 
extent,  depend  very  much  upon  the  united  efforts 
and  hearty  support  by  Christians,  of  the  plainest  and 
most  searching  exhibitions  of  the  truth  of  God. 
If  his  seal  of  approval  is  apparent,  and  thus.recog- 


640  THE  HARVEST  WORK 

nized,  cavilers  and  scoffers  are  left  to  the  lightnings 
of  Sinai,  as  well  as  to  the  tears  of  Calvary,  with  no 
refuge  or  hiding  place  in  the  church  of  God.  We 
think  this  point  of  primary  importance.  "  The  ter- 
rors of  the  law,"  have  their  place  in  the  gospel  mes- 
sages, and  cannot  be  ignored  without  fatal  loss  of 
power.     Love  must  alarm,  as  well  as  beckon. 

7.  It  is  also  clear,  that,  while  we  are  not  called 
upon  to  deny  the  imperfections  and  mistakes  in  the 
human  agencies,  and  to  have  no  desire  for  their  re- 
moval, it  is  obligatory  upon  Christians,  to  accept 
whatever  God  sends  to  promote  his  kingdom, 
using  it  with  all  bold  and  hallowed  prudence,  and 
prayer.  And  his  seal  may  be  seen  in  the  Holy 
Spirit's  saving  presence,  overruling  the  weakness  of 
man  for  the  glory  of  God,  in  securing  the  travail  of 
the  Eedeemer's  soul. 

8.  One  of  the  principal  means  of  success,  in  special 
efforts,  is  the  Scriptural  method  of  dealing  with 
souls,  in  seeking  and  expecting  an  immediate  de- 
cision, upon  the  claims  of  Christ.  We  think  no 
single  source  of  power  in  the  harvest-work,  greater 
than  an  urgency  of  appeal  to  the  impenitent,  with  a 
full  dependence  on  the  sovereign  Spirit,  not  to  leave 
the  sanctuary  or  the  place  of  entreaty,  without  the 
choice  of  God,— the  submission  of  the  soul  uncondi- 
tionally to  Him,— pressing  upon  the  sinner  the  com- 
mand, "  Choose  you  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve." 


OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT.  541 

9.  Another  fact,  and  peculiarity  of  the  evangelis- 
tic lahors  described  in  the  pages  of  this  volume,  is 
the  directness  of  the  effort  to  the  sinner's  case.  No 
preparatory  sermons  to  the  church  were  delivered  ; 
but  relying  on  the  few  engaged  in  the  Master's  ser- 
vice, and  the  truth  as  it  is  in  God's  word,  with  the 
quickening  effect  upon  all  Christians,  which  their 
efforts  to  save,  and  the  tears  of  the  anxious  will 
have  ;  the  labors  of  even  a  day  or  two  have  re- 
sulted often  in  the  conversion  of  many  souls.  This 
was  Richard  Weaver's,  and  also  Reginald  Radcliff 's 
successful  method,  in  Scotland  and  England.  And 
this  suggests  the  question :  whether  an  expectant 
and  decided  measure  to  test  and  develope  feeling  in 
our  congregations,  by  pastors,  would  not  often  be 
the  outburst  of  the  gracious  work  of  the  Spirit. 
Manifold  are  the  ways  of  the  Lord  in  saving  men, 
and  revivals  in  their  origin  conform  to  this  fact,  in 
the  economy  of  his  grace. 

10.  The  question  sometimes  raised,  why  were  con- 
victions of  sin — of  personal  guilt — generally  deeper, 
formerly  than  now,  we  think  answered  in  the  nar- 
ratives of  conversion.  It  is  not  because,  as  a  yoimg 
clergyman  recently  remarked,  men,  in  the  progress  of 
theological  thought,  pass  ''  more  easily  and  gracefully 
into  the  kingdom ;"  but  on  account  of  superficial 
views  of  the  natural  heart  and  its  only  means  of 
cleansing.  The  best  indication  that  the  Holy 
Spirit's   work  has  been  chronicled,  is  the  poignant 


642  TflE  HARVEST  WORK 

sense  of  sinfulness  expressed  by  nearly  all  who  gave 
evidence  of  conversion. 

Those  who  have  been  "slain  by  the  law,  and 
made  alive  by  Christ,"  have  a  clear  and  well  de- 
fined experience,  and  love  to  hear  all  truth,  re- 
ceiving with  docility  and  profit,  that  contrasted  and 
awakening  statement  of  the  sinner's  lost  condition  ; 
"He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved  and  he  that 
believeth  not  shall  be  damned."  Any  other  gos- 
pel, i.  e.,  messages  mainly  of  love  and  clemency,  or 
of  guilt,  judgment  and  retributive  wrath,  are  a  par- 
tial exhibition  of  truth.  Paul  declared,  solemnly, 
"  Knowing  the  terrors  of  the  law,  we  persuade  men." 
God's  ambassadors  and  witnesses,  need  to  feel  more 
deeply  the  words  of  the  faithful,  tearful  Doddridge : 

"  The  watch  for  souls,  for  which  the  Lord 
Did  heavenly  bliss  forego ; 
For  souls  —  that  must  for  ever  live 
In  raptures  or  in  woe  !  " 

The  sainted  Bogatzky  expressed  the  living  Chris- 
tian's holy  longing,  a  century  and  a  quarter  ago ; 
a  fitting  close  to  the  records  we  have  given  of  the 
past : 

**  Oh  that  thou  ^^ouldest  rend  the  heavens,  that  thou  wouldest  come 
down,  that  the  mountains  might  flow  down  at  thy  presence  ...  to 
make  thy  name  known  to  thine  adversaries,  that  the  nations  may 
tremble  at  thy  presence.'*  —  las.  Ixiv.  1,  2. 

"  Awake,  thou  Spirit,  who  of  old 

Didst  fire  the  watchmen  of  the  Church's  youth ; 

Who  faced  the  foe,  unshrinking,  bold, 

Who  witnessed  day  and  night  the  eternal  truths 


O^  THE   HOLY   SPIRIT.  543 

THE    FIRST    CHURCH    IN    ENGLAND. 

We  clip  from  the  Simda/t/  Magazine  an  account 
written  by  Mr.  Hammond  of  the  first  church  in 
England,  said  to  have  been  erected  in  a.d.  61  : 

"  When  in  Brantford,  Ontario,  I  became  acquainted  with 
the  aged  widow  of  that  remarkable  missionary,  Peter  Jones. 
She  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  Rowland  Hill's  church, 
in  London. 

"  Her  father,  Mr.  Field,  was  one  of  his  leading  members. 
With  her  husband,  Mrs.  Jones  labored  as  a  missionary 
among  the  Chippewa  Indians  in  Upper  Canada.  This  cult- 
ured lady  presented  me  with  a  pencil  drawing  of  her  own, 
from  which  the  above  representation  was  made.  With  the 
picture  she  sent  the  following  description  : 

WHO  BUILT  THE   FIRST   CHURCH   IN  ENGLAND  ?      ON  WHAT 
SPOT   OF   ENGLISH   GROUND   DID   IT   STAND? 

"  Joseph  of  Arimathea  is  said  to  have  reached  the  shores 
of  Britain  in  the  year  of  the  Christian  era  01,  where  he 
established  himself  with  his  eleven  companions  at  Glaston- 
bury. There  they  built  the  '  First  Church. '  The  length  of 
it  was  sixty  feet ;  the  breadth,  twenty-six  feet ;  and  its 
walls  were  made  of  twigs  and  branches  '  wended  and  twist- 
ed together  after  the  ancient  custom. '  This  was  believed 
from  a  very  early  period  throughout  Britain. 

"  Southey  considers  the  tradition  to  be  worthy  of  credit, 
from  the  circumstance  that  it  never  was  contradicted  in  those 
ages,  when  other  churches  would  have  derived  very  great 
advantages  from  being  able  to  have  advanced  similar  preten- 
sions on  their  own  behalf.  It  is  certain  that  the  churchmen 
of  England  who  were  present  at  the  councils  of  Pisa,  Con- 
stance and  Basle  brought  this  tradition  forward  as  proof  that 


THE  HARVEST  WORK.  545 

no  Continental  ecclesiastics  had  a  right  to  rank  before  them- 
selves in  precedence.  And  at  the  present  time,  in  his 
*  Architectural  History  of  Glastonbury  Abbey, '  very  recently 
published,  Professor  Willis,  the  most  cautious  of  engineers, 
after  narrating  the  early  traditions  of  that  church,  remarked  : 
'  One  fact  can  be  certainly  derived  from  them — namely, 
that  there  existed  on  the  spot  which  is  the  scene  of  the  tale, 
a  structure  of  twisted  rods  or  hurdles  which  was  believed  to 
have  been  built  as  a  Christian  oratory,  and  reported  to  be 
the  earliest  church  erected  in  Britain  ;  also,  that  it  especially 
bore  the  name  of  '*  Vetusta  Ecclesia,^^  the  "  Old  Church."  ' 

*'  To  show  the  veneration  in  which  the  structure  itself 
was  held,  the  chronicler  records  that  '  According  to  the 
tradition  of  the  Fathers,  St.  Paulinus,  Archbishop  of 
York  (a.d.  630),  clothed  the  Old  Church,  which  before  was 
made  of  intertwined  rods,  with  boards,  an  1  covered  it  with 
lead  from  top  to  bottom.' 

*'  The  church  that  Paulinus  built,  and  the  *  Old  Church  ' 
that  he  protected,  alike  have  passed  away.  Of  the  magnifi- 
cent abbey,  in  part  Roman,  and  partly  of  the  early  Gothic 
of  England,  a  few  shattered  fragments  are  the  only  existing 
remains  amid  those  eloquent  ruins,  covered  over  and  shel- 
tered by  a  low  rounded  arch  of  massive  masonry,  lavishly 
enriched  with  the  zigzag  work  that  the  architects  of  the 
north  so  dearly  loved.  The  Well  of  St.  Joseph  of  Arimathea 
may  still  be  seen,  and  close  by  the  remains  of  the  good  and 
pious  saint  himself,  the  first  of  English  church-builders, 
were  believed  to  rest. 

"  Sir  Henry  Spelman,  in  his  '  Consilia  '  (a.d.  1639),  has 
given  an  engraving  of  Glastonbury  '  Old  Church,'  as  he  ob- 
tained it  from  a  plate  that  was  fixed  in  a  pillar  of  the  New 
Churchy  and  was  preserved  after  the  demolition  of  the  mori- 
astery.  Since  the  seventeenth  century,  that  '  Old  Church  ' 
has  repeatedly  been  engraved  again.     The  Latin  name  of 


546  THE   HARVEST   WORK. 

the  site  of  this  church  was  Avalon,  and  to  perpetuate  its 
memory  Lord  Baltimore,  when  he  began  his  colony  in  New- 
foundland, before  he  undertook  the  Maryland  project,  called 
his  settlement  Avalon. " 


THE    END. 


INDEX. 


Alexandek,  W.  Lindsay,  58. 

"  A  wheea  o'  us  Lassies,"  36. 

Address  iu  City  Ilall,  Glasgow,  60. 

Arnot,  Dii.  W.  63. 

Aberdeen,  85. 

Annan,  remarkable  work,  101,  444, 

Ascent  of  Mt.  Cenis,  (sleigh-ride,) 

182. 
Adams,  Rev.  Auburn,  Me.,  271. 
Attracting  power,  332. 
Andover,  Theo   biudeuts,  345. 
Are  his  meetings  solemn,  388. 
Athens,  Pa.,  400 
Academy  of   music,  Philadelphia, 

409. 
Alexandria,  Egypt,  432-436. 
AauLKY  Down  Orphanage,  449. 
Alaska  convert's  experience,  498- 

500. 
All  night  prayer-meeting,  526. 

B. 

Birthplace,  Ellington,  Ct.,  37. 

Balcom's  resolutions,  28. 

Ballymena,  48. 

Boy's  experience,  57. 

BosroN  work,  216. 

Boy's  letter,  227,  283. 

Bkthel,  Me.,  237. 

Batu,  Me.,  24'). 

Bku^swick,  Me.,  Bowdoin  College, 

2S1-283. 
BoNAR,  Horatio.  74. 
Beloit.  Wis.,  299. 
ilUKNT  over  districts,  300. 
IJuANTPoRU,  Ontario,  312. 
Brooklvn  Tabernacle.  326. 
BuiDUKPoRT  revival,  346. 
Buffalo  meetiniis,  s56. 
Blaiu!»town,  N.  J  .  370. 
Bo.vRDMAN,  Rev.  G  1)  ,  381. 
BouciUBi'  of  flowers,  387. 
Binouamton,  .397. 
Beecuer,  T.  K  ,  402, 
Bey  ROUT,  Syria,  459. 
Brooks,  Dr.  James  H.,  St.  Louis, 

469. 
BAJJB.Dr.  C.E.,  472-477. 


C. 

COUQHT,  21. 

Chalmers,  D.D..  33. 

Caruutuers,  D.D.,  33. 

Chadbourne,  President  P,  A.,  42, 
297. 

College  appointment,  43. 

Call  to  sjettlem^ nt,  76. 

Children's  prayer-meetings,  93. 

Com.  Davidson.  i;>). 

CoMMER  lAL   Traveller,   Dumfries, 
134. 

Cabmen's  meeting,  City  Hall,  Glas- 
gow, 167. 

CowcADDENS  scrvice,  168. 

Continental  lour,  179. 

Cathedral,  Milan,  187. 

Curriculum,  195. 

Campbell,  D.D..  London,  197. 

Child's  letter,  224. 

Catholic  student  converted,  224. 

Convert's  experience,  Bath,  Me., 
249. 

Capt.  Delano's  experience,  250. 

Christian  soldier,  261. 

(  HiLDRiiN's  meetings.  273. 

Carey.  Rev.,  Beloit,  Wis.,  300. 
, Chicago,  3U0. 

Central  N  Y.,  801. 

Charge  Li;:ht  Brigade,  312. 

Cincinnati  meetings,  303. 

California,  472. 

Columbus,  O.,  yi2. 

Christ's  love  constraining.  332. 

Child's  anxiety  for  father,  341. 

Chicago  Tribune,  356. 

Child's      conversion,      St.     Paul, 
Minn.,  359. 

Crving  did  no  good.  392. 

Chuistian  mother's  testimony,  3)8. 

CoNFEDEiiATE  camp,  Elmira,  N.  Y., 
402. 

Church    doubled,    Towanda,   Pa., 
400. 

Corning  N.  Y.,  Prophet,  410. 

Cleopatra's  needle,  435. 

Carlisle.  Eng.,  445. 

Chinamen.  Sacramento.  481. 

Cooper.  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  in  '•  Evan- 
gelist," 4S4. 


548 


INDEX. 


Covenant  Book,  494. 

Child  influence,  Harrisburg,  516, 

Crown  of  thorns,  523. 

Crosbt,  Rev.  T.,  Fort  Simpson,  B. 

C,  506. 
Children  can  be  converted,  301. 


Dunfermline,  Scotland.  86. 
Dumfries    standard,    great   work, 

117. 
Dr.  Woods's  statement,  137. 
Detroit,  Mich.,  301,  373. 
DouGALL,  John,  3*20. 
Dr.  Cuyler's,  Sup.,  326. 
Dr.  p.  H.  Fowler,  338. 
Dr.  Shaw's  letter,  340. 
"  Deaf,  but  I  want  to  find  Jesus," 

344. 
Diving  for  pearls,  346. 
Death,    Triumphant,   of   Mr.  H's 

mother,  367. 
Duffield's.  Rev.,  statement,  375. 
Dr.  Hogarth's  words,  376. 
Damascus  visited,  437. 
Dansville,  N.  Y.,  533. 
Directness  of  effort,  541. 


Edwards,  Jonathan,  on  child  con- 
version, 67. 

Edinburgh  experiences,  89. 

Established  Kirk,  minister's  testi- 
mony, 104. 

Enquiry  meetini^  described,  127. 

Experience  in  Dr.  Arnot's  church, 
151. 

Exmouth,  man-of-war  Naples,  189, 

Editor's  heart  touched,  235. 

EvANSviLLE,  Ind.,  303. 

Eddie  and  black  Joe,  343.  • 

Elmira,  N.  Y.,  400. 

Erie,  Pa.,  413. 

F. 

Free  Church,  Theo.  Sem.,  51. 
Farewell  Meeting,  Glasgow,  194. 
PisKE,  J.  O.,  D.  D.,  Bath,  Me.,  246. 
Fessenden's  experience,  268. 
False  communicant  led  to  Christ, 

270. 
Farewell  meeting,  Lewiston,  Me., 

275. 
Five   thousand  added  to  Church, 

303. 
Father  of  Mr.  Hammond,  347. 
Fish,  Dr.  H.  C,  352. 
Fruits  in  Newton,  N.  J..  371. 
Five  hundred  rising  for  prayer,  389. 
Female  College,    Elmira,    N.   Y., 

403. 
Fi^oRBNOB,  Italy,  441, 


G. 

General  Assembly  Report,  305. 
Generalship,  308. 
Gives  God  the  glory,  378. 
Girard,  Pa.,  428. 
Griffith,  Dr.  B.,  440. 
Gethsemanb,  440. 
Greenwich,  London  Meeting,  465. 
Glacier,  Alaska,  500. 

a. 

Hethbrington's  definition  of  re- 
vival, 14. 

Hopkins,  Rev.  Henry,  41,  227. 

Hbnshelwood,  John,  72. 

Haddington,  Scotland,  76. 

Howard,  Rev.  R.  H.,255. 

"  He  must  take  me  as  I  am,"  288. 

Harrisburg,  Pa.,  305. 

Hamilton,  Ontario,  experiences, 
315. 

Hatfield.  Dr.  E.  F.,322. 

Hamilton  College  revival,  352. 

Honors  pastors,  358. 

Hacketstown,  N.  J.,  366. 

Hi  bbr,  Dr.  S.  S.,  Newville,  Pa., 
519. 

How  to  promote  revivals,  525. 


Ireland  revival,  48. 
Infidel  converted,  123. 
Interesting  experience,  Dumfries 

lady,  164. 
Inquiry  meeting,  Boston,  220. 
"  I  can  never  be  a  Christian,"  233. 
"  I  have  found  Jesus,"  235. 
IndianapoliSj  303. 
"  I  GLORIED   in  my   stubbornness, 

334. 
Illustrations,  340. 
"I  know  I'll  be  lost,  but  I  don't 

care,"  383. 
"  I  MADE  fun  of  everybody,"  391. 
Infidel  soldier,  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  401. 
Italy,  431. 
Interpreters,  441. 
Indian  S.  S.,  Victoria.  B.  C,  600. 
Indian    chiefess'  prayer  answered, 

504. 

J. 

JoPLiN,  Mo.,  302. 

Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by,  353. 

"  Jumped  over  something,"  366. 

Judge  Gale,  Peoria,  111.,  418. 

Jerusalem,  439. 

Jones,  C.  A.,  521. 


Knili.,  his  earnestness  for  souls,  S 
P^IRK,  Pf,  Rev.,  Boston,  219,  343. 


INDEX. 


549 


Laborers  in  revivals,  19. 
LowESTorT,  Eng.,  shipwrecks,  78. 
LiNLiTUGOw,  ScotlancI,  94. 
Leghorn,  Italy,  Dr.  Stewart,  186. 
LiVBKPooL  meetings,  198. 
"Low  before  God,"  221. 
Little  boy's  story,  252. 
Lewiston,  Me.,  263. 
LocKPORT,  N.  Y.,  303. 
Lawrence,  Kan.,  304. 
Letter  to  Independent,  321. 
Lincoln's  funeral,  383. 
LiLLiE  Meara,  394. 
Lawyers  and  physicians  converted, 

416. 
Leather  bottles,  433. 
London,  Eng.,  sixteen  weeks,  450. 
Lick  House,  Farewell  Meeting,  490. 
Letter  to  Great  Britain,  492. 
Lord  Essex,  529. 

in. 

Musselburgh,  Scotland,  51. 
Montrose,  "  89. 

Motherwell  and  Wishaw,  94. 
McNab  (Dr.),  conversion  of,  96. 
Men's  meetings,  128-160. 
Merchant's  testimony,  181. 
Milan.  Italy,  letter,  m.  Cenis,  182. 
Magenta  battlefield.  Italy,  185. 
Moffat,  Scotland,  196. 
Montreal,  300-.320. 
Mock  prayer-meetiniT,  327. 
Morgan  L.  Savage,  ;^29. 
Moody  in  Mr.  H.'s  meetings,  357. 
Minnesota,  work  in,  358. 
MiNNETONKA  Lake,  364. 
Mears,  Dr.  J.,  379. 
Ministers,    forty    present,  Phila., 

Pa.,  382. 
Matthew  W.  Baldwin,  395. 
"  Mamma,  you  forgot  to  Pray,"  397. 
McKiNNEY,  Charles,  400. 
Ministers  consecration,  414. 
Missionaries  for  Japan,  4S2. 
McWilliams,  D.  W.,  422. 
Marriage,  428. 

Metropolitan  Tabernacle,  465. 
Mears,  G.  W.,  494. 
Myrich,  Dr.,  495. 

N. 

News  of  revivals,  70. 
Naples  letter,  191. 
Newfoundland,  199. 
Newark  letters,  214. 
Nbal,  John,  231. 
Napoleon's  method,  276. 
Nova  Scotia,  301. 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  313. 
Newark,  N.  J.,  313,  370,  371. 


Nine  hundred  in  a  day,  339. 

Newton,  N.  J..  370. 

Necessary  characteristics,  357. 

Nile.  439. 

Naples,  441. 

Noel,  the  Hon .  and  Rev.  Baptist, 

350 
Nanaimo,  B.  C,  502. 
New  York  Evangelist  Report,  532. 

O. 

Open-air  meeting,  Boston,  219. 
Out-door  meeting,Brun8wick,  Me.. 

282. 
Ordained  ministry,  177. 
Ordination,  New'York,  300-323. 
Open-air  meeting,  St.  Paul,  Minn., 

362. 
Oakland  Tabernacle,  492. 
Oakland  Covenant,  495. 


Porter's  thoughts  on  revivals,  18. 
Prayer,  its  efficacy,  26. 
Place  for  Evangelists,  27. 
Phillips  Academy,  41. 
Prejudices  removed,  41,  214. 
Pownal,  Vermont,  41. 
Pisa,  Leaninii  Tower,  189. 
Portland,  Me.,  Mirror,  226. 
Prayer  answered,  235. 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  258. 
Philadelphia,  301-304. 
Palestine,  301. 
Paris  meetings,  323. 
Professional  gambler  converted, 

Newark,  390. 
Persevering     worker,     Towanda, 

Pa.,  404. 
Picture  sermons,  409. 
P*RAYBR  answered,  420. 
Pekin,  111.,  421. 
Peoria,  111.,  results,  425. 
Preparation  needed.  426. 
Palestine  visited,  429. 
Prayer  versus  Pistols,  487. 
Portland,  Oregon,  496. 
Prayer  and  effort,  526. 
Payson.  Edward,  528. 
Propositions  established,  537. 


QuiNCY  Railroad  Conductor,  481. 


Reid,  Rev.,  Wm.,  16. 
Revivals  in  other  days,  19. 
Review  of  work  in  Glasgow,  175. 
Revival  on  man-of-war,  191. 
Raffles,  D.D.,  Liverpool,  198. 
Revivals  on  Great  Eastern,  200. 


550 


INDEX. 


Roman  Catholic  Converted,  201. 
Revivals  in  Ireland,  203. 
RocHESTFR,  second  meeting,  302. 
Reasoning  analogically,  337. 
Requksts  for  prayer,  347. 
Red  Wing,  Minn.,  358. 
Roland  Diller,  427. 
RocKFORD,  111.,  S.  S.   Convention, 

429. 
Rah  ROAD  Conductor,  Quincy,  481. 
Results  at  Newman  Hairs  Church, 

466. 
Rice,  Rev.  H.  H.'s  statement,  482 
RocKViLLE,  Ct.  Journal  Letter,  488. 

S. 

SuNDAT-soHooLS  established,  41. 
Sails  for  Europe.  42. 
Shipwreck  described,  45. 
Sabbath  rcL'arded.  79. 
Synod  report  of  Annan,  102. 
Soldier  converted,  125. 
Scotch  infidel  converted,  129. 
Sermon,   'acquaint  now  thyself," 

143. 
Sermon  to  women,  152. 
St.  James  Hall,  London,  Eng.,  189. 
St.  Lawrence  Harbor,  201. 
Summary  of  work  in  Ireland,  215. 
Sailors  I<^d  to  Christ.  223. 
S.  S.  scholars  converted,  224. 
South  Paris,  Me  ,  253. 
Scenes  at  Plymouth  Rock,  261. 
Striking  experience,  286. 
Spirit  of  prayer,  299 
''  Suddenly  to  Hi-  Temple,"  300. 
Spbingpield,  111.,  301. 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  304. 
Substitution,  306. 
Syracuse,  N.  Y  ,  306. 
Stekling,  Edward,  Bridgeport,  Ct., 

349. 
S'  eking  rest,  finding  work,  3.58. 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  meetings,  359. 
S.  S.  Times,  382. 
Sportsman  weeping,  389. 
Shallow  sectarian  pools,  224,  428. 
Sketches  of  Palestine,  438. 
Sands,  Mr.  John.  454. 
Surrey  Chapel,  455. 
Soiree,  Hon.  Baptist  Noel's  Church, 

463. 
Spurgeon's  Sermon,  465. 
Shepherd's  Dog,  467. 
Salvation  Army,  468. 
St.  Louis,  468. 
San  Jose.  Cal.,  473. 
Sacrambnto,  Letter  to  Ministers, 

479, 


San  Francisco,  Letter  to  Minis- 
ters, 183. 

Stone,  Dr.  A.  L.,  Characteristics, 
488. 

Sitka,  Alaska,  507. 

Sawyer,  Judge  A.  W.,  Nashua,  N. 
H.,  519. 

T. 

TiLLICOU'-iTRT,  91. 

Temperance  revival,  Annan,  115. 
Thanksgiving,  a  joyous  heart,  173. 
Turin,  Italy,  185. 
"The  Congregationalist's "  report, 

217. 
Testimony  of  ministers,  291. 
Terra  Haute,  Ind  ,  .306. 
Talmage's  Tabernacle,  313. 
Timid  worker's  experience,  360. 
Tabernacle  Church.  Chestnut  St., 

Philadelphia,  387. 
Towanda,  Pa.,  403. 
Tyler  S..  460. 
ToY-A-ATT  Alaska  chief,  512. 
The  masses  overlooked,  538. 

U. 

Unequally  yoked  together,  157. 
Undkceived,  238. 
Univebsalist  converted,  263. 
Utica,  N.  Y.,  300,  329. 

V. 

Victor  Emanuel,  185. 

Voyage  home    on  Great  Eastern, 

199. 
Vernon,  Ct.,  Air.  H's  home,  302, 

522. 
Vacation  labors  in  Minn.,  364. 

W. 

Woods,  Dr.  Julius,  Dumfries,  Scot- 
land, 29. 
Williams  Collesre,  41. 
Work  in  London,  301. 
Waverly,  N.  Y.,402. 
Willi amsport.  Pa..  415. 
Women  in  Egypt,  432. 
WooDRUFr,  Mr.  Albert,  442. 
Weston-Super-Mare,  447. 

Y. 

Young  Ladies'  experience.  77. 
YoiNG,  Rev.  E.,  Annan,  Scotland, 

106. 
Young  converts'  letters,  221. 


Books  by  the  Rev.  E.  P.  HAMMOND, 

THE  CHILDEEN'S  EVANGELIST. 


CONVERSIOlSr 
—OF— 
OHILI3RB 


N 


With  Hundreds  of  Incidents. 

Rev.  E.  p.  HAMMOND,  the  Childben's  Evangelist. 

EVERY  PREACHER,  TEACHER  AND  PARENT  SHOULD 

HAVE  THIS  BOOK. 

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CONTENTS. 

Chap.  I.— The  Conversion  of  Children. 

Chap.  II.— How  Early  may  Children  be  led  to  Christ  ? 

Chap.  III.— Will  Children  Continue  Steadfast  ? 

Chap.  IV.  How  can  Children  be  Led  to  Christ? 

Chap,  v.— Preaching  to  Children. 

Chap.  VI.— How  Early  may  Converted  Children  Join  the  Church  ? 

Chap.  VII.— The  Influence  of  Children. 

Chap.  VIII.— Testimonies  About  the  Work  and  from  Childrea 
Themaelves. 

Chap.  IX.— Testimonies  from  Ministers. 


Significant  and  Suggestive  Testimonials. 


Rev.  C.  H.  SPURGEON  says: 

*'  My  conviction  is  that  our  converts  from  among  children 
are  the  very  best  we  have.  I  should  judge  them  to  be  more 
numerously  genuine  than  any  other  class,  more  constant, 
and  in  the  long  run  more  solid." 

MARK  HOPKINS,  D.  D.,  says  : 

"I  wish  it  great  success." 
RICHARD  NEWTON,  D.  D.,  says  : 

"I  do  believe  in  the  early  conversion  of  children." 

D.  L.  MOODY,  the  Evangelist,  says ; 

*'  I  fully  believe  in  the  conversion  of  children." 

President  CHADBOURNE,  of  W^illiams 
College,  says : 

•*  I  have  full  faith  in  the  conversion  of  children. 

ZIONS  HERALD,  Boston,  says: 

"It  is  a  useful  and  suggestive  volume." 

The  CHRISTIAN  ADVOCATE,  N.Y.,  says: 

**  The  book  will  do  good." 

The  CHICAGO  ADVANCE  says  : 

♦•Even  very  young  children  can  become  intelligent  and 
earnest  disciples  of  Christ." 

The  CHRISTIAN  AT  VSrORK,  N.Y.,  says : 

"A  careful  perusal  must  convince  the  most  skeptical 
mind,  not  only  that  young  children  are  converted,  but  a 
full  belief  in  the  possibility  of  rery  young  childj'ea  being 
converted.** 


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burgh,  says  : 

'♦Parents  will  find  this  work  material  for  mo-t  profiUb-e 
reflection." 

The  METHODIST,  N.  Y.,  says  : 

'*Tlie  excellence  of  the  work  is  that  it  gathers  \\i)  a  large 
body  of  experience  and  of  opinion  upon  the  important; 
theme." 

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London,  says  : 

"The  facts  and  narratives  here  furnished  cannot  long  bo 
ignored." 

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engaged  in  Sabbath-school  teaching,  or  other  work  for  the 
soul's  good  of  children.  Wise  and  precious  counsels  are 
presented  to  parents  and  guardians  of  youth  for  the  godly 
upbringing  of  the  children  committed  to  their  care  " 

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"While  in  Scotland  I  often  met  with  those  who  spoke  of 
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GATHERED  XAMBS. 

SHOWING  HOW  JESUS,  "  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD/' 

LAID  DOWN  HIS  LIFE  FOR  US,  AND   HOW 

MANY  LITTLE  LAMBS   HAVE   BEEN 

GATHERED  INTO  HIS  FOLD. 

BY  KEY.  EDWAED  PASON  HAMMOND, 

Author  of  '^  Child's  Ouide^''  '■'■  Blood  of  Jesus,''  '■'•  Conversion  of 
Children,''''  etc. 

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OPINIONS  OF  CRITICS. 


Freshyterian  Observer,  Bal- 


"  In  this  volume  Mr.  Hammond 
blends  in  a  charming  manner  short 
stories  and  interesting  anecdotes, 
illuminating  them  all  with  the 
shining  rays  of  Gospel  Truth." 

Interior,  Chicago: 

"  A  series  of  stories  for  children 
by  one  who  has  had  a  large  expe- 
rience with  them,  and  who  knows 
exactly  how  to  gain  and  hold  their 
attention.  The  children  will  be 
delighted  with  the  book." 


Evangelical  Messenger,  Cleve- 
land: 
"  In  a  simple,  clear,  and  illustra- 
tive style,  with  apt,  telling  incidents 
and  pertinent  application,  it  is  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  fasten  saving 
truth  upon  the  young  mind." 

St.  Iiouis  Evangelist: 

"This  book  has  been  read  by 
thousands  with  delight  and  encour- 
agement. It  is  Scriptural,  tender, 
impressive  in  style.  It  will  direct 
attention  to  the  guiding  of  children 
into  the  shepherd's  fold." 


r^m^,"."  Theological  Setnir 


1    1012  01057  0416 


DATE  DUE 


HIGHSMITH  #45230 


